What happened
On 1 September 2023, a Robinson R22 BETA, registration G-BXOA, was participating in an experience flight at Welshpool Airport, Powys. The flight was being conducted by an instructor for a passenger who was undergoing a day of helicopter instruction but not pursuing formal pilot training.
During the second flight of the day, the pilot established a stable hover at an altitude of approximately 10 to 15 feet. Following a pre-flight briefing regarding the transfer of controls, the pilot passed control of the cyclic to the passenger, while retaining control of the collective and yaw pedals.
As the aircraft began to drift backward, the passenger applied a heavy forward cyclic input. The helicopter then drifted to the left. The pilot attempted to intervene by taking control and applying right cyclic input; however, a disagreement between the occupants regarding the transfer of control led to a loss of stability. The aircraft moved left and descended until the front of the left skid struck the ground, resulting in a dynamic rollover. The impact caused the windscreen to detach. While the pilot sustained no injuries, the passenger suffered one minor injury.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and the conflicting accounts provided by the occupants. The pilot stated that the passenger failed to release the cyclic when commanded, applying left cyclic input that opposed the pilot's corrective actions. Conversely, the passenger maintained that they released the controls immediately upon command and described a different movement pattern, noting the aircraft accelerated forward and swerved before the impact.
The investigators were unable to determine which account was accurate, as the conflicting testimonies could not be independently verified through other evidence.