Aircraft Information
The accident involved a Robinson R22 Beta, registration G-OHSL, manufactured in 1989. It was powered by a single Lycoming O-320-B2C piston engine. At the time of the accident, the helicopter was being used for a training flight with two crew members on board—an instructor and a handling pilot—and no passengers.
History of the Flight
The instructor was flying with a pilot who held a Commercial Pilot's Licence (Helicopter) but required a 28-day currency check to comply with the company's self-fly hire policy. Weather conditions were good, with a light westerly wind and excellent visibility. The flight initially proceeded as planned, and the crew progressed to practicing forced landings (PFLs) from 2,000 ft agl.
The first PFL was conducted uneventfully, with an overshoot at 700 ft agl. The helicopter was then repositioned back to 2,000 ft for a second PFL. The crew briefed that the objective was to correctly assess the height for initiating the flare, intending to level the helicopter and increase power without ground contact. After necessary checks and full carburettor heat application, the second PFL commenced.
Accident Sequence
The instructor was satisfied with the handling pilot's choice of field and directed him to continue and indicate when he judged the height was correct for the flare. The handling pilot indicated he thought the flare should commence at approximately 150 ft agl. The instructor considered this too early, took control, and initiated the flare at about 40 ft.
As the flare effect diminished, the instructor raised the collective lever, but the helicopter continued to sink. The skids made contact with the soft, muddy ground and sank into the mud, rapidly slowing the helicopter. The helicopter then pitched forward. The main rotor blades struck the ground, and the helicopter turned over, coming to rest on its left side.
Post-Accident Actions
The instructor switched off the electrical system, and both pilots vacated the helicopter through the right door. Neither occupant was injured. The helicopter sustained severe damage: the tail rotor section detached, the main rotor crumpled, and the cockpit was destroyed.
The instructor considered that the accident occurred because he did not increase the power in sufficient time to prevent the skids from touching down on the muddy field.