Incident Overview
According to a telephone interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, a helicopter owned by a student pilot was involved in an accident during departure from a lake house residence. The student pilot had earlier flown with a passenger from a local airport to the lake house. During the departure from the lake house, the passenger was at the controls of the helicopter.
Sequence of Events
As the helicopter began to lift off from the ground, it executed a sharp turn to the right. The student pilot reported that he was unable to take the controls from the passenger and regain command of the helicopter. Subsequently, the helicopter's tailrotor struck the ground, causing the aircraft to roll onto its left side and come to rest in the lake.
Damage Assessment
The FAA inspector noted that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, main rotor blades, and tail rotor blades.
Reporting Compliance
The student pilot did not submit a completed copy of NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident Report, as requested.
Investigation Status
No probable cause has been determined by the investigating authorities at this time.