Pilot Debrief

SCHWEIZER 300C near Hamilton, MT — 2013-05-01

Final reportWPR13CA253
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Date
2013-05-01
Location
Hamilton, MT, USA
Airport
6S5
Aircraft
SCHWEIZER 300C
Registration
N322MH
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during a practice autorotation and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, the helicopter was 500 feet above ground level when he rolled the throttle off with the intent for the student to respond by initiating a straight-in autorotation. The student pilot did not respond properly, so the instructor took the controls to initiate a power recovery. The helicopter subsequently landed hard, deforming both skids and substantially damaging the airframe. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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