Incident Details
A flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting a training flight when the helicopter experienced a loss of control during an attempted landing. The instructor had briefed the student on procedures for landing with a simulated stuck left pedal. The student initiated a descent to establish a shallower-than-normal glide path to the runway, completed final checks, and continued the approach.
Upon contacting the runway, the helicopter veered to the left. The instructor elected to abort the landing, but as the helicopter lifted off, it began to yaw rapidly to the left while drifting left of the runway. Recognizing the aircraft was entering a spin, the crew attempted to correct by leveling the helicopter long enough for the tail rotor to regain authority. However, the left skid impacted the mud on the left side of the runway, causing the helicopter to roll onto its left side.
Pilot Actions
During the approach, the flight instructor directed the student to use throttle manipulation to control yaw caused by a fixed input on the anti-torque system. The manufacturer's service letter SL 19-002 A states that during in-flight tail rotor control failure simulation, pilots should never use the twist grip to control yaw. The FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21A) provides guidance for landing with a stuck neutral or right pedal, recommending a low-power approach with a running or roll-on landing, maintaining a shallow approach angle and minimum airspeed for directional control.
Damage and Findings
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor, fuselage, and tail boom. The flight instructor reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 4 knots.