GRAND FORKS, ND, USA
N7504D
SCHWEIZER 269C
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PILOT STATED HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND CENTERED THE CYCLIC IN ORDER TO STOP A GROUND RUN DURING THE LANDING. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE PILOT BROUGHT THE CYCLIC BACK TO CENTER, ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AND VERIFIED THAT THE COLLECTIVE WAS LOWERED. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SHAKE WITH THE BLADES STRIKING THE GROUND. THE SADDLE FUEL TANK SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER AND A FIRE WAS INITIATED. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO EVACUATE THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO ITS BEING CONSUMED BY FIRE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF HELICOPTER AND ITS COMPONENTS NOT DESTROYED IN THE FIRE FAILED TO REVEAL ANY FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACCIDENT.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF COLLECTIVE IN RECOVERING FROM A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO GROUND RESONANCE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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