What happened
The incident occurred while a certified flight instructor was conducting training maneuvers with a student pilot. The instructor directed the student to establish a hover at an altitude of three feet and execute a 180-degree turn. As the student initiated the rotation, the left skid of the helicopter contacted the ground surface. This contact caused the aircraft to begin rolling to the left. In response to the sudden change in attitude, the student pilot applied excessive control input to correct the roll. The overcorrection resulted in the main rotor blades striking the ground. The helicopter subsequently came to rest on its left side.
The investigation
The physical evidence indicated that the initial loss of control was triggered by skid contact with the terrain during a low-altitude maneuver. The subsequent damage to the main rotor system was consistent with an overcorrection attempt by the pilot in response to the roll. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were identified as contributing factors to the sequence of events.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the student pilot's inadequate control of the aircraft during a hovering maneuver. The contact between the left skid and the ground initiated an uncommanded roll. The pilot's reaction to this event, specifically the overcorrection, led directly to the main rotor blade strike. This sequence highlights the difficulty students face in managing lateral control inputs while maintaining precise altitude and position during low-speed flight operations.