What happened
On 16 July 2014, a Robinson R22 Beta, registration G-PACL, was conducting a training flight at Liverpool Airport. The flight involved an instructor and a student performing various exercises, including a simulated engine failure during a hover.
Prior to the incident, the instructor had inspected a grassed area near the taxiway to ensure it was suitable for the maneuver. The instructor briefed the student that the student would manage the cyclic, collective, and yaw controls, while the instructor would operate the throttle and remain ready to intervene. After several demonstrations, the student took control of the aircraft.
To initiate the exercise, the instructor closed the throttle to simulate an engine failure. During the descent, the student applied left cyclic input. As the helicopter descended, the left skid made contact with the ground. The instructor attempted to correct the roll with right cyclic input while the student raised the collective to cushion the impact. This sequence caused the helicopter to roll onto its left side, where it came to rest.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the sequence of control inputs during the simulated failure and the physical state of the aircraft following the impact. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft sustained damage to the windscreen and both main rotor blades. The instructor sustained one injury (a superficial cut to the knee), and no passengers were on board.
Findings
- The accident occurred during a training maneuver designed to practice engine failure procedures in a hover.
- The student applied left cyclic input during the simulated failure.
- The simultaneous application of right cyclic input by the instructor and collective input by the student contributed to the aircraft rolling onto its left skid.