Incident Overview
A student pilot reported that during his first solo flight, while turning final to line up with the taxiway adjacent to the runway, he observed a Cessna aircraft on left base for the runway. The student was positioned approximately mid-field over the taxiway when he heard the Cessna announce its final approach.
Pilot Actions
Concerned about the Cessna's position, the student executed a left 220-degree turn to visually locate the other aircraft. He reported applying excessive left pedal during this maneuver, causing the helicopter to complete a full 360-degree rotation. Subsequently, he attempted a right 150-degree turn but applied too much right pedal, which initiated a spin.
Loss of Control
The student stated that the helicopter was at an altitude of about five feet above the ground when the spin began. He tried to gain altitude by increasing the collective control, but the helicopter continued to spin, completing five or six rotations before touching down and rolling over.