Introduction
On 12 February 2015, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, registration G-ECMC, was involved in an accident at Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex. The helicopter, powered by a Lycoming O-360-J2A piston engine and manufactured in 2004, was engaged in a routine training flight with two occupants: an instructor and a student. The instructor held a Commercial Pilot's Licence and had 4,268 total flying hours, including 2,775 hours on type.
History of the Flight
The flight was planned to last approximately one hour. The instructor intended to practice various emergency procedures with the student, including tail rotor failures in the hover, taxi, and forward flight. The instructor began by demonstrating a tail rotor failure while in the hover, a procedure he normally performed by relaxing pressure on the yaw pedals to allow the helicopter to start spinning. The subsequent action would involve adjusting the throttle demand to reduce yaw and cushion the landing.
Incident Details
During the demonstration, the rate of yaw to the right was faster than the instructor expected. He decided not to roll off the throttle, opting instead to use left pedal input to stop the rotation. At that moment, his right foot slipped off the pedal, causing him to input excessive left pedal. He then hooked his left foot under the pedal and pulled back the left pedal, but this action increased the yaw to the right. He did not consider it safe to reduce throttle. As he attempted to regain both feet on the pedals, the helicopter struck the ground and rolled over onto its left side.
Outcome
There were no injuries to either occupant, both of whom exited the helicopter through the right door. The helicopter sustained damage beyond economic repair.