On July 12, 2006, a Schweizer 300C (registration N1831A) was involved in an aviation accident near Titusville, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot inadvertently selected the cyclic trim system to the full forward position. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter sustained substantial damage when its main rotor blades struck the ground during hover training after the cyclic slipped forward; postaccident inspection revealed the student pilot had inadvertently selected the cyclic trim system to full forward.
Event Details
A flight instructor and a commercial airplane pilot undergoing helicopter flight instruction were conducting a training session in a helicopter. According to the instructor, the helicopter was in a stable hover approximately three feet above the ground when he asked the student to relinquish control so he could demonstrate a maneuver. During the transfer of control, the cyclic control slipped from the instructor's hand and moved to a full forward position. This caused the helicopter to pitch nose-down, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter subsequently rolled onto its right side. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor drive system, main rotor blades, and fuselage.
Postaccident Inspection
A postaccident inspection of the helicopter revealed that the student pilot had inadvertently selected the cyclic trim system to the full forward position. The operator reported that no preaccident mechanical anomalies were found with the helicopter.
Probable cause
The student pilot inadvertently selected the cyclic trim system to the full forward position.
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