What happened
On November 23, 2010, a Robinson R22 helicopter, registration PT-YDU, was performing a flight test of VHF equipment. After landing in an open area near Goiânia, Goiás, the pilot attempted a vertical high-performance takeoff from a restricted area facing dense vegetation.
Prior to the accident, the pilot had already attempted two high-performance takeoffs from the same location but failed to clear the obstacles ahead. On the third attempt, the pilot applied maximum power. After reaching what was believed to be a safe altitude, the pilot transitioned the aircraft forward to gain airspeed and lift. However, the aircraft failed to maintain sufficient lift during this transition.
In an attempt to avoid the trees, the pilot initiated a left turn. This maneuver shifted the rotor disk and the lift vector, further degrading the aircraft's performance. The pilot also pulled the collective to counteract the descent, which, due to the lack of available power, caused the main rotor RPM to drop and triggered the low RPM warning. The helicopter continued to lose altitude, striking trees on the left side of the takeoff path before impacting the ground. The impact resulted in serious injuries to the pilot, while the passenger remained uninjured. The aircraft sustained severe damage to its structure, tail rotor, and main rotor.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation confirmed that the aircraft was within weight and center of gravity limits and that all mechanical systems, including directional controls, were fully operational at the time of the accident. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and flight maneuvers during the high-performance takeoff.
Investigators noted that while the aircraft's performance capabilities under the existing weight, altitude, and temperature should have allowed for a successful takeoff, the pilot incorrectly assessed the required altitude to clear the obstacles. The investigation also examined the "Dead Man's Curve" (Height-Velocity diagram) and how the pilot's maneuvers—specifically the left turn and the use of the collective—contributed to the loss of lift and the subsequent rotor RPM decay.