What happened
On 13 July 1999, a Robinson R22 Beta, registration G-VCJH, was involved in an accident during a private training flight at Wycombe Air Park, Buckinghamshire. The aircraft was being operated by a student pilot performing a solo maneuver.
As the pilot prepared to lift into a hover, they intentionally positioned the cyclic forward and to the left. This adjustment was intended to compensate for the lack of weight in the left-hand seat, which would normally be occupied by an instructor.
Upon increasing power and reaching a height of approximately two feet, the pilot determined that the initial weight distribution compensation was excessive. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft, the pilot applied right cyclic; however, this resulted in an overcorrection. The helicopter drifted to the right and began to descend, causing the right skid to strike the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to roll onto its right side, resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter. The pilot successfully shut off the ignition and master switch before exiting the cabin.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The inquiry focused on the flight controls inputs and the weight and balance considerations during the solo takeoff attempt.