What happened
On March 25, 2000, at approximately 10:40Z, an Alouette III helicopter, registration ZS-RJY, was conducting a training flight near La Mercy. The aircraft was operated by NAC Helicopters Unlimited and was traveling from Virginia toward La Mercy. During the flight, the crew was engaged in training maneuvers involving a low hover. During this phase of flight, the engine cut out while the aircraft was hovering at a low altitude.
The investigation
An investigation into the incident established the sequence of events leading to the impact. While the engine was non-operational during the low hover, the student pilot performed an unauthorized action by dumping the collective lever. At the time of this action, the aircraft was already experiencing a rightward drift. As the right-hand wheel made contact with the ground, the momentum and positioning of the aircraft triggered a dynamic rollover.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a dynamic rollover.
- The incident was precipitated by the student pilot's decision to dump the collective during a low hover.
- The instructor pilot was unable to physically intervene or apply sufficient corrective inputs to prevent the aircraft from rolling once the wheel contacted the terrain.
- There were no reported mechanical defects on the aircraft prior to or following the event.