History of the Flight
On 19 February 2022, the pilot and one passenger departed from Saint-Crépin et Carlucet private aerodrome (Dordogne) at approximately 11:10 for a local flight. About 45 minutes into the flight, while flying over the Étangs de Valojoulx lakes in a south to north direction, the pilot noticed variations in engine speed, which he associated with an engine problem. He decided to land as soon as possible, recalling a dyke between two lakes that he had reconnoitered during autorotation exercises in an instruction flight.
The pilot landed on the dyke and observed that engine parameters were normal. After about ten seconds, the right skid sank into the loose soil, causing the helicopter to slide backwards. The pilot attempted to return to a hover by making a marked input on the collective pitch, but the right skid remained stuck. The pilot lost control of the R44, which fell onto its right side into the water at the edge of the lake. The pilot was knocked unconscious by the impact and awoke on contact with the water. He managed to exit the cockpit underwater and assisted the passenger by opening the side door.
Helicopter Information
F-HOHE was a Robinson R44 Cadet helicopter equipped with a Lycoming O-540 engine delivering up to 210 hp for take-off and up to 185 hp continuously. It had two seats and a hold compartment. Its maximum take-off weight was 998 kg, empty weight 652 kg, and load capacity 220 kg with full fuel. The pilot added about 60 l of fuel. For the accident flight, the helicopter was within the weight and balance envelope.
Site and Wreckage Information
The landing area was on a dyke separating aquaculture lakes, approximately 830 x 120 m with a depth of about 1 m. The dyke was grassy with loose peat, about 25 m wide, with significant slopes and a 5 m wide path at the top lined with rushes. The wreckage lay on its right side, about 25 m east of the dyke and 25 m from the southern shore. The tail boom was severed, and both main rotor blades were attached but extremely distorted. Ground marks indicated a 50 cm deep skid impression, likely due to the skid sinking and adhering via a "suction" effect.
Meteorological Information
Conditions at the time: wind from 330° at 5 to 11 kt, visibility greater than 10 km, overcast with cumulus between 2,600 ft and 8,000 ft, QNH 1026 hPa, temperature 9°C, dew point 4°C.
Pilot Information
The 57-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot Licence - Helicopters (PPL(H)) issued in September 2003, with 258 total flight hours (185 as pilot-in-command). He had about 80 hours on the R44, including 6 hours in the previous three months. He was president of the "Héliclub du Périgord" aero club. After the accident, the pilot stated he may have rushed his decision to land based on knowledge of a previous occurrence on the same helicopter, where engine parameter variations led to aborting the flight.
Conclusions
The pilot perceived variations in engine speed while flying low over a lake. Recalling a similar club occurrence, he made an emergency landing on a dyke reconnoitered during training. The helicopter remained stable briefly, then the skids sank and it slid backward. During a takeoff attempt, the right skid remained stuck in loose soil. The pilot made an excessive collective pitch input and lost control, causing the helicopter to tilt right and forward, hit the water surface, and fall on its right side.