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Author Archives: Napoli Shkolnik PLLC

More Than Pilot Error Caused Airbus/Eurocopter Crash

Helicopter flying close to ground

I see more than pilot error here. The main rotor turns in the opposite direction in French helos (when compared to US helos). One effect is that pedal inputs (for tail rotor anti-torque) are also opposite. In a difficult situation, pilots revert to muscle memory. Here, proper control inputs for a US helo would exacerbate loss of control in this French helo. Opposite/incorrect pedal input is a recurring problem and has been a casual factor in multiple helicopter crashes.