On July 8, 1993, a Schweizer 269C (registration N9588F) operated by Cari Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Rialto, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER FLARE DURING THE AUTOROTATION WHICH RESULTED IN A TAIL BOOM STRIKE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter experienced a tail boom strike during a practice autorotation after the engine quit, resulting in a hard landing. The instructor took control and executed the autorotation.
Circumstances
The accident occurred during a training flight where a student pilot, under the supervision of a flight instructor, was practicing autorotations with a power recovery. On the final practice autorotation of the session, the engine quit when the student rolled the throttle to idle.
Sequence of Events
After the engine quit, the flight instructor assumed control of the helicopter and executed a complete autorotation to touch down. During the landing flare, the tail boom made contact with the ground, and the helicopter landed hard.
Post-Flight Inspection
Following the hard landing, the helicopter was examined. No discrepancies were found during the inspection.