What happened
On 2 November 2018, a Robinson R44 Raven II, registration G-FLYX, was engaged in a training flight at Denham Aerodrome, Buckinghamshire. The flight involved a student pilot working towards a Private Pilot's Licence (PPL(H)) accompanied by an instructor.
Following a series of successful takeoff and landing exercises, the student repositioned the aircraft to the start of the grass runway 1s. The student performed a landing across the runway's white arrow marking; the instructor noted this particular maneuver was somewhat rushed, particularly given the uneven terrain. Immediately following this landing, the student attempted a subsequent takeoff.
As the helicopter ascended, it began to rotate toward the right. The instructor attempted to correct this movement by applying left pedal and lowering the collective. During these corrective actions, the aircraft rolled to the left, causing the front of the left skid to strike the ground and break away. The helicopter continued its roll until the rotor blades made contact with the surface, eventually coming to rest on its left side with the engine still operational. Both the instructor and the student sustained minor injuries, specifically small cuts caused by the shattered windscreen.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the takeoff attempt and the flight conditions on the grass runway. The instructor provided testimony regarding the student's performance during the lesson, noting that the student had demonstrated good proficiency in previous maneuvers before the incident occurred.