What happened
On June 14, 2008, a Robinson R44 II, registration N272SW, was conducting a flight training session near Missoula, Montana. The flight instructor was supervising a student pilot practicing landing approaches.
While maintaining an airspeed between 60 and 65 knots, the student initiated a left base turn toward an open field, lowering the collective and applying aft cyclic. During this maneuver, the helicopter began descending more rapidly than expected. The instructor observed that the collective was too low and the cyclic was too far back.
As the instructor attempted to intervene, the student maintained a tight grip on both flight controls, preventing the instructor from moving the collective or cyclic. A struggle for control lasted approximately three to four seconds without verbal communication between the occupants. The helicopter subsequently made a hard landing, rolled onto its left side, and immediately caught fire. Both occupants sustained 2 minor injuries and were able to exit through the right door. The aircraft was destroyed by the fire.
Findings
- The student pilot's control inputs caused an excessive rate of descent during the turn.
- The student's physical grip on the flight controls prevented the instructor from regaining control of the aircraft.