LAX95LA081

Factual narrative

On January 13, 1995, at 0900 mountain standard time, a Cobb International, Inc., Rotorway Exec 90, N9876D, rolled over on landing at the Stellar Airpark, Chandler, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the instructional flight, and neither the commercial pilot nor student pilot was injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Chandler, Arizona, at 0800. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that he spoke with the flight instructor (CFI). The CFI indicated that during the normal landing approach he gave the controls to his 7-hour total time student. The student improperly applied collective and cyclic controls, the left skid dug into the soft ground, and the experimental category helicopter rolled over. There was no fire. In the CFI's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the CFI indicated that both he and his student were on the controls at the time of the accident. The CFI further reported that the flight lesson had involved practicing "pick-up and set downs." Just before the helicopter had made ground contact, a "slight left drift began" which caused the left skid to contact and dig into the soft ground. WHILE PRACTICING LANDINGS, THE STUDENT WAS HANDLING THE CONTROLS. THE CFI REPORTED THAT AS THE HELICOPTER WAS TOUCHING DOWN IT BEGAN DRIFTING 'SLIGHTLY LEFT.' THE LEFT SKID DUG INTO THE UNDERLYING SOFT GRASSY FIELD AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE WIND WAS CALM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12