Primary finding
Probable cause
the student's improper use of the cyclic controls and his failure to relinquish aircraft control, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The helicopter rolled over onto its right side after the student pilot improperly positioned the cyclic control during liffoff to a hover. According to the instructor, the student was lifting the helicopter into a hover when he applied slight right cyclic. The instructor reported he was guarding the controls at the time, and announced verbally he had the controls. As he attempted to lower the collective and center the cyclic, he noticed the student still had his hands on the controls and was continuing with a right cyclic input and increase in collective. The helicopter subsequently rolled onto its right side.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 29, 2001, about 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B single engine helicopter, N2269A, rolled over while hovering over a field near Salinas, California. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Verticare Helicopters, Salinas, and was substantially damaged. Neither the flight instructor nor the two student pilots on board were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area instructional flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91, and a company flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from the Salinas Airport and proceeded to a common practice area located about 3 miles north of the airport. The operator had a contract to train 16 military pilots from the United Arab Emirates. According to the flight instructor's written statement, the student pilot in the right seat was to perform a liftoff to a hover. As the student attempted to lift the helicopter into a hover, he placed the cyclic control slightly to the right of center. The instructor was guarding the flight controls during the maneuver, and after he noticed the misplacement of the cyclic, he announced verbally that he had the controls. The instructor attempted to lower the collective and center the cyclic, but noticed the student had not let go of the controls. The student continued to lean the cyclic to the right and raise the collective. The helicopter subsequently rolled onto its right side.