What happened
On 10 January 2013, a Robinson R-22 Beta II, registered OO-XXX (implied Belgian registration), was conducting a training flight at Namur – Suarlée airfield (EBNM). The flight, involving a student pilot and an instructor, was intended as a refresher course. After successfully completing two initial exercises, the crew initiated a third autorotation from 1600ft, specifically instructed to land the aircraft on the ground rather than performing a power recovery.
During the final phase of the maneuver, the helicopter performed a flare; however, the aircraft maintained excessive vertical and forward velocity. The helicopter struck the ground with significant force, creating deep grooves in the turf. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce in a nose-down attitude before the left skid caught the ground, leading the helicopter to slide and eventually roll over onto its left side. Both occupants sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the flight history of the crew. The aircraft, which had a total flight time of 1690.2 hours, showed extensive damage, including broken main rotor blades, a deformed tail boom, and structural damage to the firewall and transmission components. No pre-impact technical defects were identified. The investigation also reviewed the flight profiles of similar helicopter training accidents, noting that autorotations represent a significant portion of training-related hazards.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an inadequate flare at the end of the autorotation exercise, which resulted in a high-energy impact with the ground.
- The instructor's reaction to the improper flare was delayed, preventing timely intervention to correct the descent.
- The aircraft's momentum and the nature of the impact caused a subsequent rollover on the left side.