What happened
On 12 September 2015, a Robinson R66, registration G-LROK, was involved in an accident during a training flight at Denham Airfield, Buckinghamshire. The pilot, a student working towards a PPL(H), had recently transitioned to this aircraft type after previously training on an R44. Following a series of dual circuits with an instructor, the instructor exited the aircraft to permit the student to perform his first solo flight on the R66.
As the student pilot initiated the lift into a hover, the helicopter experienced a sudden roll to the right. This movement caused the main rotor blades to strike the ground, resulting in the aircraft coming to rest on its side. The student sustained minor injuries and was able to exit the cabin following the impact.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot and subsequent enquiries by the AAIB. The aircraft sustained significant damage to the windshield, tail boom, transmission bay, drive train, and main rotor blades. An instructor standing nearby observed the event and noted that the sequence of events appeared to be a dynamic rollover.
Findings
- The accident occurred during the student's first solo flight on the R66.
- The aircraft rolled right immediately upon lifting into the hover.
- The rotor blades made contact with the ground, leading to the lateral displacement of the aircraft.
- The event was consistent with a dynamic rollover, a phenomenon where the landing gear contacts an object, causing the aircraft to pivot around that point.