17 Feb 2020: Schweizer 269C 1 — Tomlinson Aviation Inc

17 Feb 2020: Schweizer 269C 1 — Tomlinson Aviation Inc

No fatalities • Ormond Beach, FL, United States

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper pedal and cyclic input while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot reported that, while on his first solo flight in a helicopter the wind began to increase. Concerned the wind may become unsafe, he deiced to make a full stop landing and complete the solo lesson. After landing and coming to a hover over the runway, air traffic control instructed him to exit the runway via nearest the taxiway. As he made a right pedal turn onto the taxiway the helicopter began to yaw aggressively to the right. Concerned the helicopter was encountering loss of tail rotor effectiveness, he applied additional right pedal and forward cyclic to increase airspeed and abort the landing. The helicopter begun to spin uncontrollably and gain altitude. He rolled off the throttle, pulled aft cyclic, and full collective, the right skid impacted the ground and rolled onto the helicopters right side.The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom, and fuselage.

The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 030° at 7 knots. The pilot was landing the helicopter on runway 9.

Contributing factors

  • cause Student/instructed pilot
  • cause Pilot
  • cause Performance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 030/07kt, vis 10sm

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