What happened
On 22 June 2002, an Enstrom F-28A-UK, registration G-BBXO, was engaged in solo circuit consolidation training at Chichester (Goodwood) Airfield. The pilot, a student with 14 hours of experience on the type, had completed a series of circuits and was taxiing back toward the parking area. During the taxi, the aircraft followed the south side of Runway 06, positioning itself in a downwind configuration.
In an attempt to turn the helicopter into the wind, the pilot executed a right-hand spot turn. During this maneuver, the rotor RPM began to decrease. Despite the pilot applying full throttle, the aircraft failed to maintain sufficient lift and descended from an altitude of roughly 5 to 6 feet. The tail rotor made contact with the ground, causing the aircraft to pitch forward and land heavily on the right skid. The impact caused the skid to collapse, leading the main rotor blades to strike the ground. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the sequence of the maneuver and the mechanical response of the engine and rotors. It was established that the pilot attempted to compensate for the decaying rotor speed by fully opening the throttle, but this was insufficient to prevent the loss of altitude.
Findings
- The primary cause of the loss of altitude was the decay of the rotor RPM during the spot turn.
- In an attempt to maintain flight, the pilot over-pitched the main rotor blades, which contributed to the loss of lift.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the right side of the fuselage, as well as the main and tail rotors.