What happened
On May 10, 2022, a Robinson R2/2 Beta, registration OY-HPH, was engaged in a flight training session at Billund (EKBI) under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The flight, conducted for instructional purposes, involved approximately one hour of practicing various landing profiles within a designated grass area used for helicopter training.
During a landing attempt, the student pilot unintentionally drifted outside the boundaries of the intended landing zone. In response, the flight instructor decided to transition the maneuver into a low-altitude hover. As the aircraft attempted to stabilize, the rear portion of the left skid became caught on an uneven patch of turf. Neither the instructor nor the student noticed the obstruction. This caused the helicopter to undergo a dynamic rollover to the left, resulting in the aircraft tipping onto its side. Both occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft following the impact.
The investigation
The investigation by the Danish Accident Investigation Board focused on the sequence of events leading to the rollover. The inquiry established that the weather conditions were favorable, with good visibility, daylight, and a light southern wind. The aircraft's weight and balance were confirmed to be within permissible limits according to the crew's calculations. The investigation concluded that the primary cause was the interaction between the aircraft's landing gear and the terrain.