What happened
On November 18, 2018, at approximately 20:00 UTC, a Robinson R22 Beta, registration PP-JLB, was performing a local flight from a private agricultural property in the rural area of Lapa, Paraná. The flight was intended to be a short 10-minute local observation mission with a pilot and one passenger on board.
The takeoff originated from a parking area on the property, which was surrounded by large trees and lacked a windsock for assessing local conditions. During the initial climb, the pilot attempted to maneuver the helicopter between two trees to gain altitude and subsequently turn right. During this maneuver, the tail rotor collided with a tree branch. This impact caused a loss of directional control, leading to an uncontrolled spin. In an attempt to clear the remaining obstacles, the pilot increased power, which inadvertently increased torque on the main rotor while the damaged tail rotor could no longer counteract the torque. The aircraft subsequently struck another tree before crashing into an open area. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft and serious injuries to both the pilot and the passenger.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the takeoff procedures and the environmental constraints of the departure site. Investigators found that while the pilot held a valid single-engine conventional helicopter license and the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was valid, several maintenance and administrative discrepancies existed. The aircraft's engine and airframe logbooks were not up to date, and flight logs were not being recorded regularly. Furthermore, the pilot's total flight experience could not be verified as the individual flight logbook was not presented for inspection.
Findings
- The takeoff area was highly restricted due to the proximity of large trees and the lack of wind indication equipment.
- The pilot utilized a recurring takeoff pattern of navigating between trees, which had created a false sense of security and diminished situational awareness.
- Improper assessment of takeoff parameters for a restricted area was a primary factor.
- The pilot's decision to apply increased power following the initial strike exacerbated the loss of directional control due to the compromised tail rotor.
- Contributing factors included errors in flight planning, decision-making, and pilot judgment.