On June 29, 2001, a Bell 206B (registration N2269A) was involved in an aviation accident near Salinas, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot improperly positioned the cyclic control during liftoff to a hover. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A training helicopter rolled onto its right side after a student pilot improperly applied right cyclic during liftoff. The instructor, who was guarding controls, announced he had control but the student continued cyclic and collective inputs.
Incident Overview
A helicopter rolled onto its right side during a training flight after the student pilot positioned the cyclic control incorrectly while lifting off into a hover. According to the flight instructor, the student applied slight right cyclic as the helicopter ascended.
Sequence of Events
The instructor reported that he was monitoring the controls and verbally announced that he had taken control of the helicopter. As he moved to lower the collective and center the cyclic, he observed that the student still had his hands on the controls and was continuing to input right cyclic while simultaneously increasing the collective. The helicopter then rolled onto its right side.
Result
The helicopter came to rest on its right side following the rollover. No other details about the aircraft or individuals involved were provided in the source.
Probable cause
The student pilot improperly positioned the cyclic control during liftoff to a hover.