SCHWEIZER 269C-1 near Mount Pocono, PA — 2011-03-20

Probable cause

The flight instructor's selection of an unsuitable landing site to practice autorotations, which resulted in an inadvertent dynamic rollover during touchdown.

NTSB narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that during a local training flight, the helicopter was at a hover and he reduced power to simulate an engine failure. He said that upon ground contact, the aft portion of helicopter's left skid sank into the mud, the helicopter began to roll to the left, and he attempted corrective action for a dynamic rollover. However, the helicopter rolled over on to its left side resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. The CFI and student pilot both stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident.

NTSB coding

• Dynamic rollover · Landing

Evidence available

• Photos
• 5 docket documents

Docket documents5

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Flight Instructorform
• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Student Pilotform
• Memorandum For Record - FAA notesother
• Mount Pocono Airport Weatherother
• 2 Embedded Photographs (Courtesy of FAA)photos

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