What happened
On 24 February 1999, a Robinson R22 Beta, registration G-HERA, was involved in an accident at Blackpool Airport during a private training flight. The student pilot had just finished a training session with an instructor involving circuits and landings. Following the instructor's briefing, the student prepared to perform a solo exercise consisting of takeoffs and landings.
After making the necessary radio communications, the student lifted the helicopter, making it light on its skids while facing into the wind. During this initial phase, the pilot perceived that the left skid was lifting before the right. In an attempt to correct this imbalance, the pilot applied left cyclic input. Simultaneously, the pilot moved the collective lever downward, intending to land the aircraft before attempting another takeoff. However, before the maneuver could be completed, the helicopter rolled onto its side, causing substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events following the student pilot's submission of the aircraft accident report. The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the transition from a light-on-skids state to the subsequent roll. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating in a surface wind of 080°/11 kt and that the pilot was a student with 38 total flying hours, only three of which were on this specific type.
Findings
- The aircraft rolled onto its side during an attempt to land after an uneven lift-off.
- The pilot's attempt to correct an perceived uneven skid lift with left cyclic input, combined with the lowering of the collective, contributed to the loss of control.