Accident Overview
On 18 July 2007, at approximately 11:46 local time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter crashed on a meadow near Zaiserweiher, Germany. The helicopter was destroyed, and one person sustained minor injuries. The accident occurred during a checkride preparation flight conducted two days before the student's practical examination for a private helicopter pilot license.
Flight History
The student pilot had flown solo earlier that morning from Stuttgart to a designated off-field landing site to pick up the flight instructor. After that, they conducted flight and navigation exercises, followed by simulated forced landing exercises without touchdown (go-arounds). After three successful maneuvers, the fourth was initiated at about 600 ft AGL. The crew reported maintaining rotor rpm in the green range and airspeed between 60 and 65 kt. During the maneuver, a right turn was flown toward the planned emergency landing field. The instructor took control during the flare. The helicopter sank, contacted the ground with a high sink rate, the left skid collapsed, the helicopter lifted off again and then came to rest on its left side. Both occupants evacuated the wreck unassisted.
Aircraft Information
The accident aircraft was a Robinson R22 Beta, serial number 2185, manufactured in 1992. It was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-B2C piston engine. Maximum takeoff mass is 621 kg. The last annual inspection including a 50-hour check was performed on 15 May 2007, after which the helicopter had flown about 32 hours. Total airframe time was 3,069 hours. No technical defects were claimed or found.
Personnel Information
The 38-year-old flight instructor held a German CPL(H) with instructor rating since 1999 and a US equivalent since 1997. Total flight experience was 2,191 hours on helicopters, including 489 hours on the Robinson R22. In the last 30 days, he had flown approximately 20 hours, 8 hours on the accident type. He held a valid Class 1 medical certificate.
The 37-year-old student pilot was nearing completion of his private helicopter pilot training. His total flight experience was about 80 hours. He also held a valid Class 1 medical certificate.
Meteorological Information
At the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions prevailed: scattered clouds at 4,000 ft (3/8 coverage), visibility more than 10 km, light wind, and QNH 1021 hPa.
Wreckage and Impact
The accident site was east of Zaisersweiher on a meadow. First ground contact was with the fuselage bottom, destroying the skid. The wreck came to rest on its left side approximately 12 m from the first impact, oriented about 120 degrees. The left skid was folded; cabin glazing was destroyed. The collective pitch lever was found in the full-up position. The tail boom was severed at the position of the anti-collision light; the part attached to the fuselage was bent to the right. The detached tail boom with tail rotor was found about 35 m from the wreck at about 45 degrees right of the approach direction. A section of the tail rotor shaft was located 65 m away at 10 degrees right. Both main rotor blades were bent. No fire occurred.
Medical and Pathological Findings
There was no evidence of impairment by alcohol or medication.
Probable Cause
The accident is due to a control error by the student, which the instructor did not recognize in time.