Casualties unknown

Helicopter Rolls Over During Practice Autorotation (N61431)

Titusville, FL, US

On February 15, 2006, a Schweizer 269C-1 (registration N61431) was involved in an aviation accident near Titusville, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The improper landing flare by the pilot-rated student and the inadequate supervision of the pilot-rated student by the certified flight instructor, resulting in the improper touchdown of the helicopter and the helicopter rolling over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a practice 180-degree autorotation with touchdown, a helicopter rolled over after the left skid struck the ground and the helicopter bounced and yawed, then contacted the ground again with sideward momentum.

Incident Overview

A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a pilot-rated student were conducting a practice 180-degree autorotation with a planned touchdown. The maneuver was entered just south of the numbers of runway 36, with the intention of terminating between runway 36 and taxiway "Alpha" into the wind.

Sequence of Events

The student called out "throttle de-tent" to indicate the maneuver would end with a touchdown. He then initiated a normal flare. According to the student, upon leveling the helicopter, "it assumed a slight nose-low attitude causing the aircraft to bounce slightly and yaw to the left."

During the flare, the CFI stated that the student "over rotated" while leveling the helicopter. As a result, the left skid impacted the ground and dug into the surface. The helicopter then contacted the ground again while in a right sideward momentum. This caused the skid to dig into the grass and the helicopter to roll over.

Operator and Aircraft Details

No further details about the operator, aircraft type, registration, or engine configuration were provided in the source. The specific location beyond the runway and taxiway reference is not specified.

Injuries and Damage

The source does not mention any injuries or fatalities. The helicopter sustained a rollover, with damage not further described.

Environmental and ATC Information

No information regarding weather conditions, time of day, or air traffic control involvement is included in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060303X00263. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.