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another one of those nifty hypotheticals


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It would depend on a few factors. Was there an instructor on board with the student? Did the instructor stay with the student an aircraft through shutdown and during post flight? When did damage occur specifically? If there wasn't an instructor with the student, then it changes the game. Did the student follow proper procedures? Were those procedures which were taught by the instructor the correct procedures? Was the student with the aircraft when damage occured?

 

You would need more information in your story in order to decide who would be at fault.

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Private pilot enrolled and flying out of flight school "X".

After proper procedural shutdown of the helicopter, and exiting the aircraft, damage occurs to the aircraft.

 

What "should" happen next? Is the liability squarely on one entities shoulders? (pilot, or school). Is it shared and to what degree/percentage? I am curious as to what the opinions of the forum-at -large would be in a scenario such as this.

 

Just a WAG, but I would think that it would depend on how the ACFT was damaged, what kind of damage it is, where it occured (was the landing back at the school, off airport, cross country ect.) It probably also depends on the schools insurance, and the students renters insurrance if aplicable.

 

As to what should happen next... Write up the damage in the ACFT forms, and report it to maintenance and the school/ACFT owner. Then obviously the damage should be repaired or inspected and signed off by maintenance ( by "or" I mean some damage on some ACFT can occur and still be serviceable).

 

My reply brought up a question I have. I am trying to get started training and I was wondering what the norm is. Do most students aquire insurance or does the schools policy cover them?

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I also think it depends on how it was damaged. If you shutdown, and then a plane taxis into the properly parked/tied down helicopter, obviously not the student. If he shuts down, and is pushing the shutdown heli into its hangar, and hits the rotor on the door, very much his fault.

 

My reply brought up a question I have. I am trying to get started training and I was wondering what the norm is. Do most students aquire insurance or does the schools policy cover them?

As far as insurance goes, I had to pick up my own when I went solo. Prior to that I was covered under the CFI's insurance.

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You're asking about liability and how it's applied without providing important details. Sorry to say it but, the missing details are what determine your liability...

 

The rule of law and ones own liability is discovered, exposed or found in the details...

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Well, from a counter perspective of things you won't have to do, we can eliminate any reporting to FAA & NTSB. This would be an issue between flight school/owners, insurance & priv. pilot. If the priv. pilot has some use coverage (deductible) through the school or a separate insurance deductible, might not be a big deal.

 

Daffy's right arm movement (your avatar) is really bothering me...

 

-WATCH FOR THE PATTERNS, WATCH FOR THE WIRES-

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This makes me think of an issue that many flight schools don't talk about much. Most flight school contracts make you, the pilot, responsible for the insurance deductible in the event of any accident/incident. Some have a 500-600 dollar pool that you pay every year to cover it, or you can purchase insurance to cover a 10 or 20K deductible. I chose to do the later, but I think many students would not have the means to cover a 20K incident, nor do they bother to have their own insurance.

 

As to whether or not the NTSB would be involved, read section 830, it changed a year or two ago and now has some rotor damage language. Just remember you were only starting it up, and not intending to fly anywhere!

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Thanks for all the replies. IN reference to providing more details about the incident, feel free to create some (realistic). I guess I should reiterate that this is primarily for my own informational purposes, but I hope the forum at large gets something out of it too.

 

Thanks!

Ahh, so we make up the scenario? So since you followed "proper procedures" in shutting it down, the rotors were not turning at the time of the accident and there was no intention of flight on your part. That makes it a bit easier.....you should be home free and the insurance would cover all but the deductible, which the school would have to cover since you were not flying or PIC at the time. Same as if hangar rash magically happened.

 

 

 

 

 

He's a low hour Student, so still "stirring the pot"

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