Thread: NTSB
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Old June 30th 04, 01:25 PM
Colin Taylor
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Default NTSB

Hi everyone

Last year, I was doing flight training in the US, and was involved in an
accident where the helicopter contacted the floor during a steep turn in
an air taxi manouver.

The instructor was new, 300 hours total time. He was at the controls at
the time of the accident, and the flight was a brief tour of the local
sights as he was new to the area. I had just passed my PPL and was on my
way to commercial, I had 120+ hours total time, 80+ hours PIC, at the
time of the accident.

During the turns, we were starting at around 50ft AGL, and were losing
altitude to around 5ft AGL coming out of the turn.

On the last turn (to the right), the right skid made contact with the
floor, and a rollover ensued, destroying the helicopter.

We were interviewed bby the FAA, and gave an account of the above
events. The instructor wasw required to take a checkride again, and has
moved on to another school (I believe - he left anyway).

However, the NSTB report for the accident states quite clearly that *I*
("the student pilot") was the one who initiated the manouver. It quite
clearly wasn't - the instructor was in control and I was following on
the dual controls.

The NTSB aren't very interested in changing this to the truth, saying
"it won't change anything".

How can I get them to listen?

Whether or not it will make a difference, I would like the TRUTH to be
on there. Believe me - I'd be doing the same if I had made the mistake
and the instructor was blamed.

Colin