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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 13, 1995 · Rotorway · N9876D

Chandler, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 13, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Chandler, AZ
Aircraft
Rotorway
Tail Number
N9876D
Operator
Rotorway International
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA081

WHILE PRACTICING LANDINGS, THE STUDENT WAS HANDLING THE CONTROLS. THE CFI REPORTED THAT AS THE HELICOPTER WAS TOUCHING DOWN IT BEGAN DRIFTING 'SLIGHTLY LEFT.' THE LEFT SKID DUG INTO THE UNDERLYING SOFT GRASSY FIELD AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE WIND WAS CALM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's improper use of the helicopter's flight controls and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

Full Narrative

On January 13, 1995, at 0900 mountain standard time, a Cobb International, Inc., Rotorway Exec 90, N9876D, rolled over on landing at the Stellar Airpark, Chandler, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the instructional flight, and neither the commercial pilot nor student pilot was injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Chandler, Arizona, at 0800. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that he spoke with the flight instructor (CFI). The CFI indicated that during the normal landing approach he gave the controls to his 7-hour total time student. The student improperly applied collective and cyclic controls, the left skid dug into the soft ground, and the experimental category helicopter rolled over. There was no fire. In the CFI's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the CFI indicated that both he and his student were on the controls at the time of the accident. The CFI further reported that the flight lesson had involved practicing "pick-up and set downs." Just before the helicopter had made ground contact, a "slight left drift began" which caused the left skid to contact and dig into the soft ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 MST
Nearest AirportSteller Airpark (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRotorway
Tail NumberN9876D
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRotorway International
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · RW-162 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data