What happened
On November 22, 2012, a Robinson R22 helicopter, registration PP-MEJ, was conducting a private pilot helicopter (PPH) proficiency check at the Maricá Aerodrome in Rio de Janeiro. The flight was operated by Helimax Escola de Aviação Civil Ltda. The crew consisted of a student pilot and a certified examiner.
During the flight, the crew attempted a 180-degree autorotation maneuver, intending to perform a running landing on a grass runway. During the maneuver, the aircraft yawed to the left and drifted off the centerline. This lateral skid caused the aircraft to tilt beyond its stability limits, leading to a dynamic rollover. Both occupants survived the accident without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation examined the flight parameters and the physical state of the aircraft. Investigators noted that the main rotor blades were deformed downward, which indicated that the impact with the ground occurred while the main rotor was at a low rotational speed.
The investigation also reviewed the experience levels of the crew. The examiner was highly experienced, with 2,200 total flight hours, 1,000 of which were in the Robinson R22. The student pilot had 50 total flight hours, all performed in the same model. The investigation concluded that due to the student's limited experience during a high-stakes check flight, there was likely insufficient time for the examiner to intervene and regain control before the aircraft reached an irreversible state.
Findings
- Loss of directional control during the autorotation maneuver.
- Ineffective control inputs and pilot judgment.
- The lateral movement caused by the yaw resulted in a pivot point on the skids, triggering the rollover.