What happened
The accident occurred during a supervised solo flight involving a student pilot operating a helicopter. At the time of the incident, the helicopter was observed hovering in place. Witnesses noted that the aircraft began to wobble noticeably before rolling sharply to the right and crashing into the ground.
Prior to this event, the owner of the helicopter had flown the same aircraft and reported that it performed normally, indicating no apparent mechanical failure at that time. The specific model of helicopter is known for flight characteristics described as sensitive, which may have contributed to the difficulty in maintaining control during the hovering maneuver.
The investigation
Investigation into the mechanical condition of the helicopter revealed no evidence of pre-impact malfunction or failure. The owner's statement regarding normal performance just prior to the accident supports the conclusion that the aircraft was airworthy at the time of the flight.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident appears to be the handling characteristics of the helicopter, which are described as sensitive. This sensitivity likely made it difficult for the student pilot to maintain stability during the hovering phase of the flight, leading to the loss of control and subsequent crash.