On March 5, 1994, a Bell 47-62 (registration N6711D) operated by Wallace, Milo V. was involved in an aviation accident near Aurora, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE DUAL STUDENTS INADEQUATE FLARE AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S (FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR) DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a local instructional flight, a helicopter practicing 180-degree autorotations contacted the ground on the rear skids and bounced. The main rotor blades severed the tail rotor drive shaft.
Flight Details
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a dual student were conducting a local instructional flight focused on practicing autorotational landings. The student initiated a 180-degree autorotation maneuver.
Incident Description
During the autorotation, the CFI noted that the ground closure rate was too high and that the flare executed by the student was insufficient to adequately slow the descent. Just as the CFI reached for the controls, the helicopter made contact with the ground. The impact occurred on the rear one-third portion of the skids, causing the helicopter to bounce.
Damage
As a result of the impact and bounce, the main rotor blades struck the tail rotor drive shaft, severing it. No further damage or injuries were reported in the source.