What happened
On August 18, 2000, at approximately 11:15 local time, a Robinson R-2ASS Beta helicopter, registration EC-HJE, was operating from a private estate belonging to a hotel in Caldas de Reis, Pontevedra. The flight was intended for commercial aerial photography.
After completing engine warm-up and ground checks, the pilot attempted to take off. As the aircraft transitioned into a hover, a sudden gust of wind caused the helicopter to drift laterally. During this movement, the left skid became entangled with either an obstacle or the uneven ground. This contact triggered a dynamic rollover, causing the aircraft to tip onto its right side.
During the rollover, the main rotor blades struck the fuselage, resulting in the separation of the tail boom. Both the main and tail rotor blades subsequently struck the ground. The impact caused extensive damage, including a broken mast, deformed main rotor blades, and damage to the tail rotor, one skid, and the canopy. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanics of the rollover and the condition of the takeoff area. Investigators examined the sequence of events leading from the lateral drift to the loss of control. The analysis established that when a helicopter drifts laterally during a hover and a skid catches an obstacle or the ground, the resulting torque and lift imbalance create a rotational movement known as a dynamic rollover. Once the aircraft reaches a tilt angle of 5 to 10 degrees, the rollover becomes nearly impossible to arrest.
Findings
- The takeoff area, located on a field within a hotel estate, was likely not properly prepared for helicopter operations.
- The presence of obstacles or ground irregularities in the takeoff area was the primary cause of the accident, as these elements caused the left skid to snag during the wind-induced drift.