What happened
On May 11, 2023, a Bell 206B helicopter was conducting a scheduled flight instruction session at the Los Cuatro Diablos Aerodrome (SCME) in Melipilla, Chile. The flight crew, consisting of a flight instructor and a student pilot, was performing advanced maneuvers as part of a training syllabus.
During an approach to runway 26, the crew was simulating a tail rotor pedal failure. As the aircraft descended to approximately one meter above the ground, the helicopter began a significant rightward turn. During this maneuver, the rear portion of the left skid made contact with the grass surface. This contact triggered a dynamic rollover, causing the aircraft to tilt backward, strike the tail rotor blades against the ground, and eventually land on its left side.
The accident resulted in minor injuries to both the instructor and the student pilot. Additionally, debris from the impact struck a person located in a nearby airfield facility, resulting in serious injuries to that individual.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, flight documentation, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation included a review of video footage of the event and an analysis of the flight briefing procedures used by the crew.
Investigators evaluated the surface conditions of the runway, noting that the grass was moist due to recent rainfall. The technical inspection of the Bell 206B confirmed that the aircraft was well-maintained, with no mechanical or technical failures contributing to the incident. The investigation also focused on the coordination between the instructor and the student during the emergency simulation.