Incident Overview
On July 20, 2014, a Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Beta helicopter was involved in an accident at Sonderlandeplatz Melle-Grönegau (EDXG) in Germany. The incident occurred during the evening while the aircraft was preparing for a transfer flight to Essen-Mülheim. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the wreckage independently, with the passenger sustaining minor injuries. The helicopter suffered heavy damage, but no third-party damage or fire was reported.
Operational Context
The aircraft was operated by an air transport company conducting paid introductory flights. On the day of the accident, the pilot had completed multiple short-duration flights. Prior to the final refueling, the pilot planned a transfer flight. The helicopter had accumulated approximately 8.0 operating hours that day. The pilot reported hovering along the eastern taxiway toward runway 27 before initiating the takeoff maneuver.
Accident Sequence
During the turn onto the runway, the helicopter reportedly gained altitude and speed before suddenly losing height. The left skid struck the ground, causing the aircraft to roll and overturn. Witnesses described a sudden loss of altitude during the curve. The crash site was located north of runway 27, west of the eastern taxiway. The tail boom bent forward, rotor blades were destroyed, and control rods broke.
Aircraft and Environmental Conditions
The R22 Beta, manufactured in 1990 with serial number 1368, had a total operating time of approximately 6,427 hours. It was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-B2C engine. At the time of the accident, the density altitude was approximately 2,000 feet, and the temperature was 28°C. The aircraft was carrying about 55 liters of fuel. Investigations found no mechanical failures in the engine or transmission. The pilot held a valid Class 1 medical certificate and a Slovenian commercial pilot license.