Incident Details
On 15 October 2021 at 1330 hours UTC, a private flight of an Agusta AB206B helicopter (registration G-WIZZ) ended with a forced landing on Humberston Fitties Beach, Lincolnshire. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom due to contact with the main rotor blades. There were no injuries to the pilot or the two passengers.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The helicopter, serial number 8540, was manufactured in 1977 and powered by one Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engine. The pilot held a Private Pilot’s Licence and was 56 years old. His total flying experience was 1,700 hours, with 194 hours on type. In the previous 90 days, he had flown 36 hours, including 15 hours in the last 28 days.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot’s report, the low main rotor speed warning light illuminated when he applied collective pitch at approximately 800 ft altitude while flying over a beach. He immediately entered autorotation and performed a run-on landing at about 15 knots. The helicopter came to rest upright on its skids. During the landing, the main rotor blades struck the tail boom, causing substantial damage.