On April 12, 1991, an Enstrom F-28A (registration N294Q) operated by Paul Concienne was involved in an aviation accident near Grand Ledge, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's improper decision to descend too low during a taxi, resulting in skid contact with the surface and a subsequent dynamic rollover. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover after the student pilot descended too low during a night instructional taxi, causing the skid to contact the taxiway surface.
What happened
The accident occurred while a certified flight instructor (CFI) and his student were taxiing back to the ramp following a night instructional helicopter lesson. During this phase of ground movement, the student pilot ascended to an altitude of approximately 15 feet. The CFI instructed the student to decrease altitude in response to this ascent. The student then descended too low, causing the helicopter's skid to contact the taxiway surface. This contact resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was the student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance during the descent from a low hover while under instruction. The dynamic rollover was initiated by the skid contacting the ground after the excessive descent rate.
Probable cause
The student pilot's improper decision to descend too low during a taxi, resulting in skid contact with the surface and a subsequent dynamic rollover.