Incident Overview
On 16 March 2004, a Robinson R22 Beta (registration G-BOEW) was involved in a training accident at Cranfield, Bedfordshire. The helicopter was conducting an engine-off landing demonstration onto Runway 22. The aircraft was manufactured in 1988 and powered by a single Lycoming O-320-B2C piston engine.
Sequence of Events
The commander, a 37-year-old Commercial Pilot Licence holder with 1,010 total flying hours (925 on type), was demonstrating the manoeuvre to a student. After entering autorotation at 1,000 ft AGL and confirming at 500 ft AGL that the helicopter would reach the intended landing area, he closed the throttle fully and reminded the student to relax foot pressure on the yaw pedals.
At 300 ft AGL, the commander noted the indicated airspeed was 53 kt, which he considered too slow, and applied forward cyclic to recover airspeed to 60 kt. However, the subsequent flare using aft cyclic did not produce the expected deceleration. After holding the flare as long as possible to reduce rate of descent and forward speed, the aircraft was levelled with forward cyclic and the collective lever pulled up fully. The helicopter touched down hard on the front of its left skid, tearing it off, and came to rest on its left side with damage to the main rotor.
Occupant Actions and Injuries
The commander shut down the fuel, mixture, magnetos, and master switch, then kicked out the cockpit transparency to vacate the aircraft. The student exited unaided. The commander sustained minor injuries; the student was not injured.
Environmental Conditions
The Cranfield ATIS (information 'F') at the time reported surface wind 220°/18 kt gusting to 25 kt, visibility 20 km, and few clouds at 1,200 ft. The commander considered that wind shear may have caused an unexpected rate of descent during the landing manoeuvre.
Operator Policy
The Robinson R22 Pilot's Operating Handbook does not contain specific guidance on allowable wind conditions for this manoeuvre. However, manufacturer's safety notice SN-9 advises pilots to 'always practice hovering autorotations into wind and never when gusty'. The operator subsequently reviewed its policy regarding training in gusty conditions.