What happened
On 26 February 2000, a Robinson R22 BETA, registration G-BYOP, was involved in an accident at Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton, during a private flight. Following a period of refuelling, the pilot initiated a hover to move the aircraft away from the fuel pump area. While taxiing rearwards, the helicopter lost altitude, causing the skids to make contact with the ground. This impact resulted in a sudden pitch-up of the nose, leading the tail rotor to strike the surface. The aircraft subsequently entered a series of spins before coming to a halt on its right side. The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair. The pilot, who was wearing appropriate safety restraints, exited the aircraft through a breach in the canopy and sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed the accident report submitted by the pilot to determine the sequence of events. The examination focused on the aircraft's movement immediately following the refuelling process and the environmental factors present at the airfield during the incident.