Flight Sequence
A student pilot was initiating a cross-country flight. As the helicopter entered cruise flight, the student pilot intended to apply the cabin heater control. However, he inadvertently applied the fuel shut off control. Moments later, the engine lost power, and the student pilot performed an autorotation. The helicopter subsequently landed hard.
Cockpit Control Configuration
The student pilot had been training in two models of the same make of helicopter. The heaters had been installed by the operator under a supplemental type certificate. The accident helicopter was flown from the left seat, with the fuel shut off control installed on the left side of the instrument panel and the heater control on the far right side. In contrast, the other helicopter was flown from the right seat, with the fuel shut off control on the right side and the heater control to its left side. Both the heater and fuel shut off controls are operated using pull-type knobs.
The helicopter manufacturer offers the heater installation as an optional, aftermarket installation. The manufacturer's heater control is installed on the front of the center seat area, not on the instrument panel. Additionally, the manufacturer's heater control is operated using side-to-side motion for the "ON" and "OFF" positions.
Post-Accident Examination
No evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies was discovered.