What happened
On February 16, 2009, at approximately 18:20 UTC, a Robinson R2-2 helicopter, registration PT-HVD, was conducting a local training flight at the Jacarepaguá Aerodrome (SBJR) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The flight was being conducted by a flight school for the purpose of a student pilot accumulating hours toward a Commercial Pilot license.
During an autorotation training maneuver for runway 20, the student pilot initiated the flare with incorrect parameters, maintaining a speed of 50–55 knots and a rotor RPM of approximately 90%, which was below the required 60 knots and 100% RPM, respectively. As the maneuver progressed, the student pilot applied excessive collective pitch, causing a rapid reduction in airspeed and rotor RPM. This was followed by a sudden lowering of the collective, which caused a sharp loss of lift. Due to the low altitude, the instructor was unable to implement corrective actions. The aircraft performed a running landing, touching down misaligned and abruptly. The left skid struck the runway edge lights, triggering a dynamic rollover. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, the instructor sustained light injuries, and the student pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation by CENIPA revealed significant concerns regarding the student pilot's proficiency and medical history. Although the student pilot held a valid Private Pilot license, previous medical examinations in 2007 and 2008 had yielded conflicting results: while the psychiatric evaluations were favorable, the psychological evaluations were unfavorable, noting traits of anxiety, insecurity, and insufficient cognitive performance in areas such as spatial reasoning and attention. Furthermore, the student had previously failed a theoretical exam for the commercial license.
The investigation also found that the flight school was aware of the student's operational difficulties and motor coordination errors, yet lacked the legal means to halt the training. Just five days prior to the accident, the student had been involved in a dangerous flight that led to a review by the Instruction Council, which subsequently granted extra training hours before clearing the student for a check flight.
Findings
- Improper control inputs: The student pilot applied excessive collective pitch during the flare, leading to a loss of rotor RPM and airspeed.
- Pilot judgment: The student pilot's inability to maintain proper parameters during the autorotation maneuver contributed to the loss of control.
- Support system failures: The training school continued the student's progression despite documented operational limitations and coordination errors.
- Medical discrepancies: Discrepancies between psychological and psychiatric evaluations allowed a pilot with identified cognitive and behavioral vulnerabilities to continue training.