What happened
On 8 August 2006, a Robinson R22 Beta, registration G-OHSL, was performing a private cross-country flight. After receiving landing clearance from Blackpool Airport, the pilot was instructed to hold a hover to allow a light aircraft to pass before proceeding to land and refuel. During this period, the wind was recorded at 250/11kt.
While the pilot was lowering the collective lever to land in front of a hangar on the apron, a sudden gust of wind struck the helicopter. This turbulence prompted the pilot to overcompensate using the cyclic control, which resulted in the tail rotor making contact with the ground. The impact caused the helicopter to spin approximately two full revolutions before coming to a stop on its skids. Following the event, the pilot shut down the engine and discovered damage to the tail rotor and an oil leak from the tail rotor gearbox.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing area and the weather conditions at the time of the accident. The helicopter was positioned in the lee of a hangar, and the investigation looked into whether local wind patterns contributed to the instability. The training manager of the helicopter operator had previously expressed concerns regarding the suitability of that specific area for light helicopters when winds were from the west.
Interviews were conducted with two other airfield operators. While these individuals agreed that turbulence could occur near the hangar, they stated they had no evidence suggesting that the wind conditions at the time of the accident were significantly more severe than elsewhere on the airfield.