What happened
The pilot, holding both fixed-wing and helicopter ratings, had been training as a student pilot for rotorcraft operations. Prior to the flight, rain was reported in the area, creating damp conditions on the ground. The pilot decided to conduct practice hovering maneuvers during this period.
During the hover exercise, the pilot was wearing tennis shoes that had become wet from the earlier rainfall. While attempting to maintain control of the helicopter, the soles of his footwear lost traction against the pedals. This loss of grip caused his foot to slip off the control pedal unexpectedly. As a result, the helicopter began an uncommanded turn. One of the skids struck the ground, which led to the aircraft rolling over onto its side.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the rollover. Examination of the pilot's statements and the physical evidence indicated that the primary issue was related to footwear traction rather than mechanical failure or weather conditions aloft. The wet condition of the shoes was identified as a critical factor in the loss of pedal control.
Findings
The accident was caused by the pilot's foot slipping off the control pedal due to wearing wet tennis shoes during hover practice. This resulted in a loss of directional control, a skid strike, and subsequent rollover. The incident highlights the importance of appropriate footwear for aviation training, particularly when operating in damp conditions where traction is essential for precise pedal inputs.