What happened
On Monday, May 15, 2000, at approximately 11:00 local time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, registered F-GHIK, was conducting a training flight near Escrones. The flight was part of an instructional session involving an instructor and a student pilot.
The exercise involved simulating an engine failure to practice the procedures for autorotation and the subsequent go-around. The student pilot initiated the descent and, as instructed, attempted to increase power to execute the go-around at the end of the autorotation. However, as the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately five meters above the ground, the instructor observed that the power application was insufficient.
Upon noticing the partial power recovery, the instructor took control of the aircraft. Despite this intervention, the rotor RPM continued to decay. The helicopter entered a skid and struck the ground on its right skid. During the impact, a main rotor blade struck the tail boom, causing the aircraft to capsize onto its left side. The aircraft was heavily damaged.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the transition from autorotation to the go-around maneuver. Investigators reviewed the flight profiles and the actions taken by both the instructor and the student pilot. The crew profiles were noted: the instructor was highly experienced with over 1,700 flight hours, while the student pilot had limited experience, with only 8 hours of helicopter flight time.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the delayed reaction of the instructor during the critical phase of the maneuver.
- The student pilot failed to achieve full power during the go-around attempt, leading to a continuous decrease in rotor RPM.
- The aircraft's impact with the terrain resulted in significant structural damage, including a strike between the main rotor and the tail boom.