ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 356898
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| Date: | Wednesday 7 August 1996 |
| Time: | 09:00 LT |
| Type: |  Bell UH-1H |
| Owner/operator: | California Dept. Of Forestry |
| Registration: | N499DF |
| MSN: | 71-20022 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3742 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming T53-L-703 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Ukiah, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Willits, CA |
| (KUKI) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The helicopter was being used on a training flight with a commercial rated (student) pilot and a flight instructor (CFI) aboard. During a straight-in autorotation, the student made a 'very gradual' flare and allowed the helicopter to descend to approximately 10 feet agl before she began rolling on the throttle. As she rolled on the throttle, she inadvertently made an abrupt aft cyclic control movement. The tail rotor and stinger then struck the ground before the CFI could regain control. The CFI stabilized the helicopter in about a 3 to 4 foot hover and noticed a vibration. As he was setting the helicopter down, the vibration became worse. During shutdown the tail rotor and tailrotor gearbox separated from the tailboom. The commercial (student) pilot's current qualification card had been issued with the provision that she receive additional training and take a reevaluation check ride. After the accident, the pilot spent 2 weeks with the Army National Guard, where she received additional training in the UH-1H helicopter. A conversation between the CDF safety officer and the National Guard instructor pilot indicated that the student continued to have difficulty with aircraft control.
Probable Cause: the commercial/student pilot's improper/abrupt use of aft cyclic during the flare, and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX96TA298
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 13-Mar-2024 12:01 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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