Event
On 13 September 2015, at 1330 UTC, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, registration G-TIMH, was conducting a training flight at Nottingham Heliport. The instructor and a student were practicing engine failures in the hover. After several successful landings, the final attempt resulted in a left turn through approximately 100° and a heavy landing with both skids touching down simultaneously. No unusual vibrations or noises were heard. The instructor then lifted the helicopter into a hover to check for normal operation; no faults were observed, and the training continued.
Aircraft and Crew
The helicopter was a 2007 Robinson R22 Beta, serial number 4108, powered by a single Lycoming O-360-J2A piston engine. The commander, aged 45, held a Commercial Pilot’s License and had 1,366 hours total flying experience, of which 841 were on the R22. He had flown 138 hours in the last 90 days and 61 hours in the last 28 days.
Damage and Inspection
After the training flight, the helicopter returned to the apron. The instructor performed a post-flight inspection, checking the top of the cooling fan for any evidence of contact from the tail rotor mechanism and the lower cross tube for signs of damage or bowing. No damage was observed. The helicopter was then used for another training flight. After that flight, the instructor noticed an "odd" reflection of sunlight from the forward part of the tailcone. Further inspections revealed damage to the engine firewall and the cabin floor. Additionally, damage to the tailcone was found.
Instructor's Assessment
The instructor considered that the damage must have occurred during the earlier heavy landing. He noted that the helicopter has a black color scheme, which may have made the damage more difficult to see during the first inspection. The instructor also considered that he had not reacted quickly enough to an incorrect yaw pedal input by the student.