What happened
During a commercial pilot training session in Queensland, an instructor and a student were performing advanced emergency training in a Robinson R2-2, registration VH-8BW. Toward the end of the lesson, the crew decided to perform torque turns, a maneuver that was not included in the official training syllabus.
While performing these turns near Pannikin Island, the helicopter transitioned into an increased low nose attitude during the recovery phase. Because the maneuver was being conducted at a low altitude, there was insufficient margin to correct the descent. The aircraft struck the terrain, and the impact of the skid against the soft soil led to a dynamic rollover. During the incident, the main rotor disk flexed and struck the tail boom, severing it and causing a loss of torque control.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the decision-making process regarding the unplanned maneuver and the altitude at which it was performed. Investigators found that the decision to conduct torque turns was made in-flight without a prior ground briefing. This lack of preparation meant there were no established procedures for the maneuver, placing the entire burden of risk management on the instructor.
Furthermore, the investigation examined the altitude of the exercise. The maneuver began at only 50 ft AGL, which significantly reduced the safety buffer. While the instructor took control of the aircraft immediately upon recognizing the rapid descent, the low height prevented a successful recovery before ground contact occurred.
Findings
- The decision to perform torque turns was made during the flight, bypassing the opportunity for a formal pre-flight briefing and risk assessment.
- The maneuver was conducted at an inappropriate low height, which left no room for error or corrective action.
- The aircraft's exit from the maneuver resulted in a lower nose attitude than anticipated.
- The operator lacked a formal system for monitoring the return of training flights, which could potentially impact the speed of emergency responses.