WPR12CA405

The flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while correcting for the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter.

While practicing low-level hovering during a training flight, the student, who had 2 hours of total flight time, was unable to maintain directional control. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and applied control inputs to arrest the helicopter’s student-induced movement. As the helicopter began to move in the desired direction, the left skid contacted the terrain, and the helicopter rolled over, coming to rest on its left side, which resulted in substantial damage to the main and tail rotor blades, tail cone, and fuselage. According to the instructor, there was no indication of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.

While practicing low level hovering during a dual training flight, the student, who had accumulated two hours total flight time, was unable to maintain directional control. The flight instructor therefore took control of the helicopter and applied control inputs to arrest the student induced movement to the right and to the rear. As the helicopter began to move forward and to the left, the flight instructor inadvertently allowed the left skid to come in contact with the terrain. The contact with the terrain resulted in a dynamic rollover, with the helicopter coming to rest on its left side. According to the instructor, there was no indication of a mechanical malfunction.