NOME, AK, USA
N5006M
HUGHES 269A
THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN APPROX 5-FT HOVER, THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY PUSHED THE DUAL CYCLIC CONTROL STICK FORWARD, AND BEFORE HE COULD TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE 15-20 DEG SLOPE. THE PILOT ABRUPTLY MOVED HIS CYCLIC CONTROL STICK AFT, THE TAIL ROTOR HIT THE GROUND, AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK AND CUT OFF THE TAILBOOM. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS FOR THE PASSENGER TO VIDEOTAPE WILDLIFE THROUGH THE LEFT DOOR, WHICH HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR THE FLIGHT. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE BUT HE DID NOT THINK HE HAD PUSHED THE CONTROL STICK. HE THOUGHT THE PILOT HAD BEEN LOOKING AT THE WILDLIFE AND INADVERTENTLY HIT THE GROUND.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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