What happened
On 26 June 2016, a Robinson R22 Beta, registration G-BPNI, was performing a private flight in West Calder, West Lothian. As the pilot approached a private landing site, they targeted a concrete pad that was bordered by grass sloping downwards to the right. During the landing sequence, the left skid of the helicopter made contact with the concrete surface, while the right skid landed on the adjacent grass. As the aircraft settled, the right skid became entangled in the vegetation, causing the helicopter to roll onto its side. The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair, though the pilot escaped the incident without injury.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the landing site conditions and the physical mechanics of the touchdown. It was established that the landing pad's configuration, specifically the transition from concrete to sloping grass, played a critical role in the aircraft's instability. The pilot, who held a private pilot's licence and had 117 total flying hours, provided the account of the sequence of events leading to the rollover.