A civil instructor pilot working under contract to the Army was providing flight instruction to a young military student pilot. The student pilot was in control of the helicopter at the time of the accident. While the student pilot was maneuvering at a low level, he experienced an uncommanded cyclic movement of such force that the cyclic control was pulled from his grasp. The instructor attempted to regain control of the helicopter, but was not able to. The helicopter rolled left and then crashed. It went down near Fort Rucker, Alabama.
The flight instructor pilot was seriously injured in the accident. Ultimately, his arm had to be amputated. Slack Davis Sanger represented the pilot and secured a substantial settlement for his damages and loss.