20030911023439A

(-23) 09-11-03 - Arrived at Homestead general airport (X51) at 1710 hours on September 11, 2003, to investigate a crash involving a Schweizer rotorcraft, model 269C-1, N6147Q operated by helicenter international academy that crashed on runway 36N while performing training maneuvers. Inspection of the crash scend revealed that the aircraft came to rest facing in a northeasterly direction while performing a run-on-landing on runway 36. Inspection of runway 36 revealed skid marks 190 feet long from the first contact point approximately midfield, to where the aircraft came to rest. The first contact point was caused by the left skid impacting the runway first. Inspection of the other skid marks was not as pronounced (deeper impression) compared to the initial impact made by the left skid shoe impacting the runway first. These marks originated from left to right, oscillating (skipping) back and forth from left to right until the aircraft came to a completed stop. It was also observed on the runway skid shoe marks that were parallel to the above mentioned marks. However, these marks were continuous with no breakage of continuity compared to the marks made by the crashed aircraft. Inspection of the aircraft revealed major damage to the aircraft fuselage, which was buckled and torn on the left side of the aircraft just below the pilot's entry door. Damper assemblies forward and aft on the left side of the aircraft were sheared off from the left forward and left aft beam assemblies. Tail rotor drive shaft separated from the transmission and impacted the lower right hand corner rear of the aircraft fuel tank. There was no evidence of any fuel leak. The windscreen was barely attached to the aircraft at lofwer right doorframe attaching points of the aircraft, which was cut to facilitate transporting the aircraft to biscayne helicopters, inc. inspection of the leading edge and tips of all three main rotor blades showed no evidence of ground impact. Inspection of the flight controls revealed that the collective (tube) on the left side of the aircraft that was used by the CFI was bent down. Where as the right collective was observed in the up position. The flight controls revealed continuity. Interviewed student pilot at helicenter international academy, kendall-tamiami executive (tmb) at approximately 1930 hours to ascertain what actually happened at the time of the accident. According to student pilot george omar rodriguez, (medical certificate third class/student pilot certificate number FF-2281167) he left tmb with certified flight instructor (CFI), daniel raul nelson to perform run-on-landings on runway 36 at Homestead general airport X51. Mr. Rodriguez stated that the CFI took the controls, so he removed his hands from the controls at 30' AGL on final. There as no positive transfer of controls. They made the landing and upon the aircraft stopping it began to vibrate slightly with increasing frequency until the aircraft just broke up. Mr. Rodriguez could not remember much other than taking the crash position when hearing the instructor screaming. Mr. Rodriguez got out of the aircraft and ran over to the airport manager's office to get help. Mr. Rodriguez told inspector schoonover that he had a total of approximately seventeen (17) hours flying subject aircraft. Mr. Rodriguez also stated that the CFI was in control of the aircraft at the time of the accident. Interviewed Mr. Daniel raul nelson, CFI, certificate number 2737863 at helicenter international academy, tmb at approximately 1400 hours on September 12, 2003, with inspectors gallina and valerio to obtain his statement of what actually happened at the time of the accident. According to Mr. Nelson, he left tmb with student pilot rodriguez to perform running landings to running take off (t/o) at X51. CFI stated that the winds were out of the north, 350 degrees, at six (6) knots and visibility was ten (10) miles. The CFI did not get a weather briefing. Mr. Rodriguez stated that the student entered base to final when he took control of the aircraft along with the student so that he could demonstrate to the student what the controls would feel like when performing a run-on-landing. This was the first run-on-landing of the day. According to the CFI, they began the run-on-landing touching down smoothly at approximately mid-field and started to lift off the ground when suddenly, the aircraft started oscillating violently. All that the CFI could remember was the main rotor blades rapidly approaching the top of the windscreen and what appeared to be the main rotor blades hitting, shattering and destroying the windscreen. During the time the aircraft touched down and started to lift off again, the aircraft never stopped moving forward. The CFI continued to reiterate that the aircraft was in a continuous smooth motion forward from the time the aircraft first touched down to the time it began to lift off from the ground without stopping. This was demonstrated for the inspectors with a model helicopter. Review of Mr. Rodriguez pilot logbook, reveals that he has a total of twenty eight (28) hours of flight time on the Schweizer and a total combined to date of helicopter flight time totaling to 191 hours. Both the CFI and student pilot suffered minor lacerations, bruises and swelling. Both were treated at local hospitals and released. Mr. Bagley told inspector schoonover that he was on the ramp next to a yellow glider when the student pilot appeared asking for help. The student pilot was observed limping and had blood on his neck and hands. The student pilot told Mr. Bagley that his instructor needs help. They both got into Mr. Bagley's truck and drove over to the scene of the accident where they found the CFI face down. They lifted the instructor into the back of the truck and drove over to the airport managers office. Mr. Bagley stated that with the strong wind blowing and his back to the accident, he did not even know that an accident had occurred. Neither the CFI nor the student made any comments regarding the accident. Arrived at helicenter international academy, tmb at approximately 10:00 am on September 15, 2003, with inspectors gallina and valerio to clarify with student pilot, Mr. George omar rodriguez of what actually happened at the time of the accident. Inspector valerio assisted with the interview because Mr. Rodreguez translation to english was difficult at times. The student pilot stated that he was performing the first run-on-landing of the day. He reiterated again, that upon the aircraft stopping, the aircraft started vibrating with increasing frequency until the aircraft just broke up. He also commented that the aircraft was moving at a slight right angle (crabbing) from the centerline of the runway and never lifted off the runway. Inspector schoonover confirmed with Mr. Rodriguez that the wind was from the north. Mr. Rodriguez told the inspectors that he was in control of the aircraft until 30 feet AGL, when the CFI took control of the aircraft. The CFI did not acknowledge to the student that "I have control". Mr. Rodriguez relinquished control to the CFI because he felt confident that the CFI had control. The student then place his hands in his lap. Just prior to the aircraft breaking apart, the CFI let out a horrendous scream of fear and froze at the controls. At that time, the student placed his head between his legs to prepare for the impact as he was taught in school. At approximately 8:30 am on September 15, 2003, inspectors espinosa, gallina, schoonover and valerio initiated a teleconference with Schweizer personnel frank blundell and Schweizer accident investigator, steve gleason. A review of the sustained damages that occurred to the aircraft were discussed in detail to determine what actually caused the accident. Mr. Gleason commented that it did not appear that the damages were consistent with ground resonance. However, he has requested copies of the pictures taken at the scene and the pictures taken at biscayne helicopters, inc. to better assist him in determining what was the actual cause of the accident. Currently, Mr. Gleason is not scheduled to physically inspect the aircraft.