What happened
An instructor pilot and a student pilot were conducting a dual instructional flight in a single-engine land helicopter. The session included several hover autorotations and hovering patterns. After these maneuvers, the instructor took control of the aircraft to demonstrate an autorotation from 500 feet above ground level with power recovery.
As the helicopter entered the autorotation phase, a critical misunderstanding arose regarding who was flying and who was following through on the controls. The student believed he was to follow through, while the instructor thought the student had assumed control. As the aircraft approached the ground, the instructor took control again and attempted to flare for landing.
During touchdown, the tail rotor struck the ground. The student reported that the microphone system had previously exhibited an intermittent problem which was believed to have been repaired. He stated that the issue recurred during the flight and contributed to the miscommunication between the crew members.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the tail rotor strike. Investigators examined the communication breakdown between the instructor and student during the critical phase of the autorotation. The intermittent microphone system was identified as a potential contributing factor to the confusion over control responsibilities.
Findings
The primary finding was a misunderstanding concerning who was to fly during the autorotation maneuver. This confusion led to a delay in control input during the flare and touchdown phase. The tail rotor striking the ground resulted in damage to the aircraft. The intermittent microphone system likely exacerbated the communication issues between the instructor and student.
Safety message
Clear communication and explicit confirmation of control transfer are essential during dual instructional flights, particularly during complex maneuvers like autorotations. Pilots should ensure that both parties have a shared understanding of who is flying at all times to prevent similar incidents.