FARMINGDALE, NJ, USA
N62316
Hiller UH-12D
The student pilot was hover taxing when the certificated flight instructor (CFI) rolled the throttle to the idle position and announced a 'simulated an engine failure.' The helicopter yawed to the left and pitched nose down. The CFI took control of the helicopter . The helicopter then spun to right, and the tail rotor contacted the ground.
On October 24, 1997, at about 1300 eastern standard time, a Hiller UH-12D, N62316, was substantially damaged during a simulated engine failure from a hover at the Allaire Airport, Farmingdale, New Jersey. The certificated flight instructor (CFI), and student pilot (SP) were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement the CFI stated: "...The [SP] was on the controls, hovering the helicopter forward, in preparation for another quick stop, when I announced 'simulated engine failure' and rolled the throttle to the idle position. The helicopter yawed to the left and pitched nose down. I came on the controls, pressed full right pedal, pulled aft cyclic and applied power to recover. The helicopter spun to the right with the tail rotor contacting the ground. I rolled the throttle back to idle and the helicopter settled onto the ground...." The CFI's reported total flight experience in helicopters was 2,958 hours, of which 286 hours were in make and model. The SP's reported total flight experience was 21 hours, all in make and model. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed no pre-impact failure of the airframe or engine.
The certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision and failure to maintain directional control.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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