Accident Overview
On 27 May 2009, at approximately 0830 hours UTC, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, registration G-INKY, was involved in an accident at Wester Cartmore Farm, Lochgelly, Fife. The flight was a private operation with only the pilot on board. The helicopter sustained severe damage to its main and tail rotor assembly, fuselage, and right skid. The pilot reported no injuries.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The helicopter was a Robinson R22 Beta, manufactured in 1989, powered by a single Lycoming O-320-B2C piston engine. The pilot, aged 42, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 374 total flying hours, of which 366 hours were on the Robinson R22 type. In the previous 90 days, the pilot had flown 79 hours, and in the last 28 days, 24 hours.
Accident Details
The helicopter was being operated from a private site in a rural location. The pilot reported that the surface wind at the site was similar to that recorded at Edinburgh Airport, 10 nautical miles to the south, which was from 220° at 16 knots. During start-up, the wind direction was from 90° to the right of the helicopter nose. As the helicopter lifted to a hover, a gust of wind caught the pilot by surprise. While correcting for this gust, the right skid and main rotor struck the ground. The helicopter then settled back onto both skids and remained upright, having turned 90° to the left.
Damage and Injuries
The pilot reported damage to the main and tail rotors, the right side of the fuselage, and the right skid. The pilot was uninjured. Information for this report was sourced from the Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot.