What happened
On 15 December 2000, a Robinson R22, registration G-BZJK, was engaged in training maneuvers at Liverpool Airport. Following a period of dual instruction and a brief intermission for refueling, a student pilot began performing solo exercises consisting of hover take-offs and landings on a concrete pad. After successfully completing several repetitions, the pilot moved the aircraft to a grass training area to continue the practice.
During the session on the grass, the pilot performed a series of maneuvers, including a short forward taxi before returning to a hover. As the pilot initiated a vertical descent, the aircraft's skids made unexpected contact with the ground. The helicopter appeared to tilt toward the right, prompting the pilot to apply left cyclic pitch control in an attempt to correct the movement. This resulted in the main rotor blades striking the ground on the left side, causing the aircraft to roll onto its right side. The pilot, who was a student with 43 total flying hours, exited the aircraft through the left door and sustained one minor injury to the left hand.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the flight, noting that the pilot had been performing routine consolidation training as previously briefed by an instructor. The response from the airfield Rescue and Fire Fighting Service was rapid, arriving at the scene within one minute of the incident.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the canopy and the rotor blades.
- The accident was precipitated by the unexpected contact of the skids with the ground during a vertical descent.
- The pilot's attempt to counter the resulting roll through left cyclic input contributed to the rotor blades striking the terrain.