What happened
On 13 September 2018, a Robinson R22 Beta, registration G-MACA, was involved in an accident at a private residence in Haighton, Lancashire. The pilot had previously landed the aircraft in the grounds of the property and intended to shut down the engine. However, following a signal from the property owner, the pilot decided to take off.
After lifting into a ground effect hover, the pilot began a left pedal turn at an altitude of approximately 9 feet. During this maneuver, the aircraft was hit by a significant gust of wind originating from the right. This wind caused the helicopter to roll rapidly to the left. The pilot attempted to apply corrective controls, but the left landing skid made contact with the ground, followed by the main rotor blades. The aircraft ended up resting on its side, resulting in minor injuries to both the pilot and the passenger.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The pilot reported that the engine was functioning normally during the initial ascent. The investigation focused on the impact of the wind gust and the pilot's ability to maintain control during the pedal turn.