GAA16CA151

Factual narrative

According to the student pilot, during his first solo flight, he aborted his first approach and landing because he was too steep and too fast. He reported that after terminating the second approach to a hover, he attempted to set the helicopter down on the runway. The student pilot reported that while established at a five foot hover, he lowered the collective with more force than normal and the helicopter touched down hard. He reported that he attempted to establish a hover after the hard touch down and quickly increased the collective without applying sufficient right anti-torque pedal. He recalled that a rapid right yaw ensued and the helicopter spun several revolutions before impacting the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the frame and tail rotor drive shaft. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. According to the student pilot, during his first solo flight, he aborted his first approach and landing because he was too steep and too fast. He reported that after terminating the second approach to a hover, he attempted to set the helicopter down on the runway. The student pilot reported that while established at a five foot hover, he lowered the collective with more force than normal and the helicopter touched down hard. He reported that he attempted to establish a hover after the hard touch down and quickly increased the collective without applying sufficient right anti-torque pedal. He recalled that a rapid right yaw ensued and the helicopter spun several revolutions before impacting the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the frame and tail rotor drive shaft. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Yaw control-Not attained/maintained - C