Casualties unknown

1984-08-19: Hughes 369D (N6666C) — Fishers Island, NY

Fishers Island, NY, US

On August 19, 1984, a Hughes 369D (registration N6666C) was involved in an aviation accident near Fishers Island, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student's application of too much left pedal just prior to touchdown, causing a left yaw, and the subsequent pulling back on the cyclic at touchdown, causing the tail to hit the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During autorotation training, a student pilot applied excessive left pedal and then pulled back on the cyclic, causing the helicopter's tail to strike the ground.

Incident Overview

A certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that while conducting autorotation training, his student applied too much left pedal just prior to touchdown. This input caused the helicopter to yaw to the left. The instructor immediately applied right pedal, which straightened the aircraft. However, as the helicopter touched down, the student pulled back on the cyclic, resulting in the tail striking the ground.

Sequence of Events

The instructor was teaching the student autorotations to touchdown. Near the ground, the student's excessive left pedal application induced a left yaw. The CFI reacted by applying right pedal, correcting the yaw. Despite this correction, the student's subsequent aft cyclic input at touchdown caused the tail to contact the ground.

No Other Details Reported

The source provides no information on the aircraft type, registration, engine count, date, operator, location, number of occupants, injuries, damage extent, time of day, weather conditions, or air traffic control involvement. The report does not state whether anyone was injured or if the aircraft sustained damage beyond the tail strike.

Probable cause

The student's application of too much left pedal just prior to touchdown, causing a left yaw, and the subsequent pulling back on the cyclic at touchdown, causing the tail to hit the ground.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X40881. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.