History of the Flight
The student-pilot departed Nogaro airport at approximately 16:55, heading northwest to practice approaches over an off-field landing area. At around 17:15, while returning to Nogaro, he chose to practice an approach over a flat, uncultivated field approximately 200 m x 200 m. He did not intend to land but only to make an approach facing the wind he estimated as northerly. Following the approach, the helicopter hovered at about three metres over the middle of the field, oriented northward opposite a forest whose closest trees were just under 100 m away. To take off into the wind and clear the trees, the student-pilot decided to increase distance from the forest edge. He made a U-turn and flew in forward flight southwards. After flying approximately 20 m, he lost control of the helicopter, which collided with the ground.
Additional Information
Student-Pilot Information
The 49-year-old student-pilot was training for a private helicopter license. He had 58 flight hours, including 19 solo hours, all in a Robinson R22. In the three months before the accident, he logged 11 hours, 9 of which were solo. His instructor had submitted a request for a test flight, but no date was set. He booked F-HVRA online for a solo flight on 4 June 2019. He arrived at the flying club around 16:00 and texted his instructor his intention to fly. He did not inform his instructor about his plan to practice off-field approaches away from the heliport. The field he chose was not listed.
Student-Pilot's Statement
He reported that after hovering facing north into the wind, during forward flight southward to distance himself from the forest, he considered moving to another field to his right. Because that field was cultivated, he thought rotor downwash could cause damage. Shortly after, he lost control. He said the nose yawed suddenly to the left, and he pulled the collective pitch lever to gain height, but the helicopter collided with the ground. He heard the engine race and make a very loud noise. He hypothesized that one of the two main rotor blades tore off in flight, which could explain the loss of control and engine racing.
Examination of the Wreckage
The wreckage was found on its side, not dispersed. One main rotor blade was found 30 m away, bent with the trailing edge deformed under compression, characteristic of an impact between a fast-rotating blade and the ground. The other blade showed similar deformation but remained attached. The blade that broke likely detached from the hub after ground contact with the rotor transmitting power. Examination of the rotating star found that one of the two blade pitch-change rods broke along its upper threaded section due to abnormally high compression/buckling load consistent with blade impact. The other rod was deformed but unbroken. The tail rotor was intact and attached. All damage was from ground impact.
Meteorological Information
Météo-France estimated conditions at the accident site: scattered cumulus and stratocumulus at 4,000 ft; wind from 300°/320° at 10 kt with gusts up to 20 kt; slight turbulence; temperature 24°C. The possibility of a curl-over effect from trees was considered slim as the flow was laminar below 3,000 ft and wind came from a relatively clear zone.
Conclusion (from BEA)
The student-pilot, at the end of PPL training, took off alone for unsupervised practice. After 20 minutes of flight, he decided to practice an approach over an unlisted field. After hovering, he made a U-turn and flew forward with a tailwind to gain distance from the forest. He lost control of the helicopter, which collided with the ground. He likely encountered difficulties controlling the helicopter at low speed with a tailwind and out of ground effect.