MIA95LA044

While operating on water the passenger noted that the helicopter was drifting south towards an embankment. He announced this over the intercom and the dual student lifted the helicopter to hover during which the tail rotor contacted the embankment. Directional control was lost and the CFI took the controls and performed an uneventful autorotative landing to the water. Before the flight the helicopter rated student advised the CFI that he did not have any experience operating a helicopter equipped with floats.

On December 20, 1994, about 1515 eastern standard time, a fixed float-equipped Bell 206B, N163BH, registered to and operated by Biscayne Helicopters, collided with an embankment of a quarry about 4 nautical miles northwest of the Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, Miami, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI), helicopter-rated student, and passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 1500 from the Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, Miami, Florida.

Before the flight the student advised the CFI that he did not have any experience operating a helicopter equipped with floats. The flight departed and proceeded direct to the quarry. The student stated that after landing on the water near the south side of the quarry, he performed water maneuvers as directed by the CFI. While facing north, the passenger observed that the helicopter was drifting south and announced this over the intercom. The student lifted to hover during which the tail rotor contacted the embankment and directional control was lost. The CFI stated that he took over the controls, maneuvered the helicopter away from the embankment and performed a hovering autorotation to the water. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed tail rotor blade and tail boom damage.