IAD97LA015

The student pilot (SP) was hover taxiing his helicopter. The SP said that during a subsequent climb to 300 feet, the helicopter felt 'heavy and anemic.' He also said '... the helicopter was exhibiting flight characteristics I didn't like....' The helicopter traveled past the taxiway end, and the SP decided to do a circuit in the pattern. He said when he attempted a left turn, the helicopter started to lose altitude. He also stated that flight control problems required him to performed an emergency landing. During the emergency landing, the helicopter impacted a chain link fence, and the main rotor blade struck a cherry picker (vehicular equipment). Examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact abnormalities with the engine or flight controls. The SP did not have a solo endorsement for the flight. His reported total flight experience in helicopters was 41 hours, of which, 1 hour was in this make and model of helicopter.

On November 4, 1996, about 1600 eastern standard time, an Ayers Scorpion Executive helicopter, N3903C, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after an emergency descent and landing near Union Vale, New York. The student pilot (SP) was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the SP said the purpose of the flight was to hover and taxi test the helicopter after it had been serviced at his repair shop to ready the helicopter for inspection and a future airworthiness certificate. He further stated:

"...The test was conducted off one end of the taxiway. After entry into a hover taxi from a hover it soon became apparent that the helicopter was exhibiting flight characteristics I didn't like. Having traveled past the taxiway end, and heading towards some homes off the taxiway, I decided it would be safer to do a small circuit in the pattern and land on the runway. Experiencing flight control problems during this flight required me to make an emergency landing off the end of the runway...."

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the SP stated that the helicopter slowly climbed to 300 feet, and felt "heavy and anemic." When he turned right base the helicopter wanted to roll and pitch down to the right. When the SP attempted a left turn the helicopter started to lose altitude.

During the emergency landing to a yard the helicopter impacted a chain link fence, and the main rotor blade struck a cherry picker.

Examination of the helicopter by an FAA Inspector revealed no pre-impact abnormalities with the engine or flight controls.

The SP did not have a solo endorsement for the flight. His reported total flight experience in helicopters was 41 hours, of which 1 hour was in the make and model of the accident helicopter.