What happened
On 18 November 2001, a Robinson R22 BETA, registration G-TGRS, was performing a private flight at Duxford Airport, Cambridge. During the landing sequence, the pilot miscalculated the aircraft's height relative to the surface. This error caused one of the helicopter's skids to make contact with the ground, triggering a rollover of the aircraft.
The impact was severe enough that the rotor head and blades were ripped from the mast, resulting in the destruction of the helicopter. The two occupants, the pilot and one passenger, both sustained minor injuries during the incident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the descent and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation established that the visibility at Duxford Airport was approximately 6,000 metres, with light rain falling and a surface wind of 030° at 5 knots.
The pilot provided information indicating that the primary reason for the altitude misjudgment was a lack of clear visibility through the cockpit. Specifically, raindrops accumulated on the helicopter's canopy, which obstructed the pilot's view of the ground during the final stages of the approach.
Findings
- The pilot misjudged the helicopter's height above the ground during the landing attempt.
- Raindrops on the aircraft canopy obstructed the pilot's field of vision, preventing an accurate assessment of the distance to the surface.