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February 17, 2020 · Schweizer 269C 1 · N731TA

Ormond Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 17, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ormond Beach, FL
Aircraft
Schweizer 269C 1 (2006)
Tail Number
N731TA
Operator
Tomlinson Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA20CA104

The student pilot reported that, while on his first solo flight in a helicopter, the wind began to increase. Concerned the wind may become unsafe, he decided to make a full-stop landing and complete the flight. After coming in for landing and while hovering over the runway, an air traffic controller instructed the student to exit the runway via the nearest taxiway. As he made a right pedal turn onto the taxiway, the helicopter began to yaw aggressively right. Concerned the helicopter was encountering a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, he applied additional right pedal and forward cyclic to increase airspeed and abort the landing. The helicopter began to spin uncontrollably and gain altitude. He rolled off the throttle and pulled aft cyclic and full collective, the right skid impacted the ground, and the helicopter then rolled onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's improper pedal and cyclic input while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that, while on his first solo flight in a helicopter the wind began to increase. Concerned the wind may become unsafe, he deiced to make a full stop landing and complete the solo lesson. After landing and coming to a hover over the runway, air traffic control instructed him to exit the runway via nearest the taxiway. As he made a right pedal turn onto the taxiway the helicopter began to yaw aggressively to the right. Concerned the helicopter was encountering loss of tail rotor effectiveness, he applied additional right pedal and forward cyclic to increase airspeed and abort the landing. The helicopter begun to spin uncontrollably and gain altitude. He rolled off the throttle, pulled aft cyclic, and full collective, the right skid impacted the ground and rolled onto the helicopters right side.The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom, and fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 030° at 7 knots. The pilot was landing the helicopter on runway 9.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EST
Nearest AirportOrmond Beach Muni (0nm WSW)
Runway09
Runway Length4005 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer 269C 1
Tail NumberN731TA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTomlinson Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-G1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data