Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during a practice autorotation and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, the helicopter was 500 feet above ground level when he rolled the throttle off with the intent for the student to respond by initiating a straight-in autorotation. The student pilot did not respond properly, so the instructor took the controls to initiate a power recovery. The helicopter subsequently landed hard, deforming both skids and substantially damaging the airframe. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR13CA253 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 1, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hamilton, Montana
- Nearest airport
- Ravalli County Airport (6S5)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer 300C
- N-number
- N322MH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.