What happened
During a flight training session, the student pilot was performing hover taxiing maneuvers when the certificated flight instructor (CFI) initiated a training scenario. The CFI rolled the throttle to the idle position and announced that an engine failure was being simulated.
Immediately following this action, the helicopter began to yaw to the left and pitch nose down. Recognizing the developing situation, the CFI took control of the aircraft. However, the helicopter then spun to the right. During this uncontrolled rotation, the tail rotor struck the ground.
The investigation
The narrative provided indicates that the incident occurred during a controlled training exercise where specific flight conditions were artificially created by the instructor. The mechanical state of the helicopter prior to the throttle movement is not detailed in the source text, but the immediate reaction to the simulated failure suggests a loss of directional control.
Findings
The sequence of events highlights the critical nature of engine power management during hover operations. The sudden reduction of power led to an immediate change in aircraft attitude and yaw. The subsequent right spin and ground contact with the tail rotor indicate that the aircraft was unable to maintain stability despite the instructor's intervention.
Safety message
Simulated engine failures are valuable training tools but require precise control inputs. Pilots must be prepared for immediate yaw and pitch changes when power is reduced. Maintaining tail rotor effectiveness and understanding the helicopter's response to sudden power loss is essential for preventing ground contact during such maneuvers.