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I'm sure this CFI had to check his pants after this....


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I saw that video on another site, along with an accident report. The passenger in the front seat tried to shift around in his seat and kicked the cyclic.

 

Ref: 0404

SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY

INCIDENT REPORT – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Aircraft Registration ZS-RSO Date of Incident 14 May 2005 Time of Incident 1030Z

Type of Aircraft Robinson R44 Raven II Type of Operation Private

Pilot-in-command Licence Type Private Age 56 Licence Valid Yes

Pilot-in-command Flying Experience Total Flying Hours 1 759.7 Hours on Type 11.7

Last point of departure Cape Town International Aerodrome (FACT) Base 4 Helipad

Next point of intended landing Cape Town International Aerodrome (FACT) Base 4 Helipad

Location of the incident site with reference to easily defined geographical points (GPS readings if possible)

Cape Town International Aerodrome (FACT) Base 4 Helipad

Meteorological Information Surface wind: Southerly/<10kts, Temperature: 20°C, CAVOK

Number of people on board 1 + 3 No. of people injured 0 No. of people killed 0

Synopsis

The pilot, accompanied by three passengers departed from the Base4 helipad at Cape Town International

Aerodrome for a local pleasure flight of the Cape Peninsula. After being airborne for approximately 40

minutes they returned for a full stop landing. An aviation enthusiast that was standing nearby filmed the

approach and intended landing. The video footage was made available to the investigating team and

revealed that the aircraft was established in hover flight approximately 6 feet above the ground overhead

the helipad. The pilot descended gradually with the right skid touching first. As the skid touched the

aircraft was observed to pitch/tilt forward suddenly with the lower nose fuselage making contact with the

ground. The pilot reacted almost immediately by applying backpressure on the cyclic stick, which caused

the aircraft to fall back onto its skids, with the tail rotor guard nearly impacting the ground. It then pitched

forward again with the pilot applying power, he took-off, flew a circuit and executed an uneventful landing.

Nobody was injured in the incident.

Following an interview with the passenger that was occupying the left front seat, he mentioned that he was

readjusting his seatbelt shortly before touchdown and accidentally touched the cyclic control column that

emerges from the floor centre console with his right knee, which caused the pilot to take immediate

corrective action.

The last MPI (Mandatory Periodic Inspection) prior to the accident was certified on 4 March 2005, at 602.3

airframe hours. Since the MPI was certified a further 83.6 hours were flown.

Probable Cause

The passenger that was occupying the left front seat right knee touched the cyclic control column on

touched down, pushing it forward, which caused the aircraft to pitch/tilt forward violently. The pilot took

immediate corrective action by pulling back on the cyclic control stick, which caused the aircraft to fall

back onto its skids. The pilot applied power flew a circuit, followed by an uneventful landing.

IARC Date Release Date

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Guest rookie101
I saw that video on another site, along with an accident report. The passenger in the front seat tried to shift around in his seat and kicked the cyclic.

 

Right you are HP. That other site is verticalmag.com which many of use here frequent. I've seen the topic before, but cannot find it right now. I'll put the link in this post when I find, if I ever do :wacko:

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