What happened
On October 11, 2011, a Robinson R22 helicopter, registration PT-YEC, operated by Goldenfly Escola de Aviação Civil, was conducting a local flight instruction mission. The flight departed from Campo de Marte (SBMT) in São Paulo with an instructor and a student pilot on board. The training session was focused on low-altitude maneuvers, specifically hovering and lateral movements at approximately 3 feet above the ground, utilizing a soccer field within the Parque Ecológico do Tietê.
During a lateral movement to the right, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude, causing the right skid to strike the ground. As the instructor attempted to recover the aircraft by applying collective and cyclic inputs, the vertical stabilizer guard struck the terrain, triggering a low RPM warning. The helicopter entered a right-hand spin, rotating once or twice before ultimately toppling onto its side. Both occupants of the Robinson R22 escaped the accident without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation revealed several critical operational and administrative irregularities. Investigators found that the instructor was operating at the edge of the engine's power limits, utilizing ground effect at a height that left virtually no margin for error during maneuvers. Furthermore, the training took place on a soccer field without formal authorization from the park's administration.
Beyond the immediate flight mechanics, the investigation uncovered significant discrepancies in the operator's records. The aircraft's logbook was not delivered immediately, and investigators noted that several flights recorded in airport operational movement logs were missing from the aircraft's logbook. Additionally, discrepancies were found in flight notifications, where the instructor's identification code did not match the entries in the logbook. The investigation also noted that the instructor lacked a formal employment contract with the operator and was not properly recording flight hours in his individual flight log.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the impact of the right skid with the ground during a lateral maneuver.
- A lack of clear communication regarding pilot flying/pilot monitoring responsibilities (command handover) contributed to the loss of control.
- The aircraft was operating at the maximum power limit, providing insufficient margin for corrective actions.
- Deficiencies in crew resource management (CRM) and flight planning were present, including an abbreviated briefing due to the student's late arrival.
- Inadequate managerial oversight by the operator regarding flight documentation, instructor documentation, and the use of unauthorized training areas.