Introduction
On 10 June 2003 at 1135 hours UTC, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, registration G-MICH, was involved in an accident at Shobdon Airfield, Leominster, Herefordshire. The aircraft was being used for training purposes with two crew members on board: an instructor and a student. No passengers were present. Both pilots sustained minor injuries and were able to exit the helicopter unassisted. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair.
Flight Details
The instructor, aged 38, held a Commercial Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 559 flying hours, of which 500 were on the Robinson R22. He had flown 135 hours in the last 90 days and 50 hours in the last 28 days. The instructor reported having flown 12 hours with the student and characterised the student's progress as slow. He noted that at times the student was unable to communicate and fly simultaneously and consistently had problems handing over or taking over control correctly. The instructor discussed these issues with the Chief Flying Instructor, and it was agreed to continue training. On the next flight, the process of handing over and taking over control was revised and practiced.
Two Accounts of the Accident
On the subsequent flight, after about 30 minutes of general handling, the instructor and student returned to the hover practice area. After further instruction, the student was given control of the helicopter. The instructor reported that shortly afterward, while in a hover at a height of about eight feet, the student lowered the collective and applied aft right cyclic. The instructor stated, "I have control," but the student overrode his correcting control inputs. The low rotor rpm warning horn sounded as the helicopter struck the ground with the tail rotor and then rolled onto its right side, where it came to rest.
However, the student's recollection differed. He reported that the instructor took control of the helicopter while in the hover, and a few moments later released the cyclic control. The helicopter lurched to the right, and the instructor attempted to reach for the cyclic but was unable to regain control before the helicopter's tail struck the ground.
It is not possible to reconcile these two conflicting accounts of the events leading to the accident; therefore, both versions have been presented.
Aftermath
Both pilots suffered minor injuries but vacated the helicopter without assistance. The airfield fire and rescue services arrived promptly at the scene.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, the surface wind was southerly at 12 knots. Visibility was greater than 10 kilometres, and there was no significant cloud or other weather phenomena.