What happened
On 8 May 2003, a Robinson R2TR Beta, registration G-INIS, was conducting a training flight at Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey. The commander, an experienced instructor, was performing an instructional exercise involving an engine-off landing demonstration. After receiving clearance to land in the Helicopter Training Area, the pilot entered into autorotation.
During the approach, the pilot noted a leftward drift and applied corrective cyclic input. As the aircraft reached approximately 20 feet above the ground, the pilot continued the flare to level the helicopter. Upon touchdown, the aircraft landed heavily on the rear of the right skid and subsequently bounced into the air in a nose-down attitude. While attempting to level the aircraft before a second touchdown, the main rotor struck the tailboom. There were no injuries to the two crew members on board, though the aircraft sustained extensive damage to the main rotor and tailboom.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of the landing and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the wind was initially from the west at approximately 10 knots, but noted that the wind had shifted to a more northerly direction and decreased in strength during the maneuver.
An air traffic controller witnessed the event from the tower. The controller's account suggested that the descent appeared normal until the flare phase, at which point the tail of the helicopter appeared to make contact with the ground first. ATC records confirmed the wind was 330 degrees at 4 knots at the time of the impact.