Robinson R44 Raven 2 accident at Villefranche-Tarare (F-GTRG)

Accident overview and flight sequence On 12 July 2018, at about 11:20 local time, a Robinson R44 Raven 2 helicopter, registration F-GTRG, operated by Héliclub du Beaujolais, was involved in an accident at Villefranche-Tarare (69). The aircraft was on a general-aviation local proficiency flight and carried a pilot and an instructor. The helicopter was damaged. After returning from the local flight, the pilot made an approach to runway 36, an unpaved runway at the Villefranche-Tarare aerodrome. The helicopter then taxied to the fuel station and landed in the grass near it, facing north, to refuel. The pilot reduced engine power to about 70%, as recommended in the helicopter flight manual to reduce engine temperature before shutdown. Because of the heat, the pilot and instructor opened the front doors. The instructor asked the pilot to complete the engine shutdown procedure and then left the helicopter. As the instructor walked away toward the fuel pump, the pilot saw an insect in the cockpit. The pilot did not remember the exact type of insect, which could have been a grasshopper, a dragonfly, or a praying mantis. While trying to drive it away, the pilot made a sudden movement and inadvertently moved the collective pitch control. The helicopter rose about one metre, then came down and overturned onto its left side.