What happened
On August 24, 2006, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, registration I-MMAL, was conducting a recreational flight near the Sette Selle refuge in the Val del Làner, Palù del Fersina. After departing from Trento Matterello, the pilot intended to perform a low-level pass over a landing pad located near the mountain refuge.
While flying at a very low altitude near the ground, the pilot increased the collective pitch. This action caused a noticeable drop in engine RPM, which the pilot attributed to the altitude. In an attempt to recover the lost RPM, the pilot reduced the collective and turned toward the valley. During this maneuver, the tail rotor struck nearby vegetation, causing the aircraft to become uncontrollable and crash.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the pilot's flight history, the aircraft's maintenance records, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot, who held a valid private helicopter license and had significant experience on this specific type, was familiar with the accident location.
Technical inspections of the Robinson R22 Beta revealed that all scheduled maintenance had been performed according to requirements and the airworthiness certificate was valid. The pilot reported that no mechanical or engine malfunctions were observed prior to the incident. Meteorological reports from Bolzano indicated good visibility and favorable flying conditions, leading investigators to conclude that weather was not a contributing factor.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control resulting from the tail rotor striking vegetation.
- The impact with the vegetation was a direct consequence of a maneuver initiated to correct a prior error.
- The pilot's initial inadequate application of the collective pitch control led to a reduction in rotor RPM, necessitating the corrective maneuver that ultimately caused the collision.