What happened
On December 10, 2000, at 13:45, a Robinson R22 helicopter, registration F-GMAU, was involved in an accident during takeoff from the helipad at the Hotel Royal in Evian, France. The flight was a private trip, and the aircraft had previously departed from Annecy earlier that morning.
The helicopter was positioned at a heading of 260 degrees on the landing pad, which is located east of the hotel building and bordered by trees to the south. As the pilot initiated the takeoff, they executed a left turn, a maneuver that requires increased power in the R22 model. During this turn, the aircraft encountered a three-quarter tailwind, likely characterized by turbulent airflow due to the surrounding obstacles. At an altitude of approximately two meters, the helicopter lost lift and descended, causing the left skid to strike the ground and resulting in the aircraft overturning. The aircraft was destroyed in the process.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the environmental conditions and the pilot's maneuvers. While the pilot reported experiencing a strong wind gust, the passenger noted that the windsock located on the hotel roof did not indicate significant wind at the time. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting they had 56 total flight hours, with 53 on this specific type.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control during takeoff.
- The pilot failed to sufficiently account for the specific takeoff conditions.
- There was an inadequate assessment of the aircraft's performance capabilities and the pilot's ability to manage the maneuver under the prevailing conditions.
- The maneuver involved a left turn requiring high power, which, when combined with turbulent wind from the rear-quarter, led to the loss of altitude.