What happened
On 15 November 2009, a Robinson R4ly4 Astro, registration G-WEMS, was performing a private flight at Shobdon Airfield in Herefordshire. After completing a short flight that included a remote landing and engine shutdown, the pilot coordinated with ground radio to approach Runway 27 via the north side. The approach was standard, and the aircraft reached a hover approximately 30 metres beyond the runway threshold.
As the pilot attempted to touch down on the concrete apron near a hangar, the aircraft struck a hard surface. This impact triggered a violent oscillation, causing the helicopter to shake intensely in all directions. The pilot lost control of the aircraft, which rolled onto its right side while still under power. The momentum of the rotor blade stubs drove the helicopter sideways toward the hangar. The aircraft eventually came to rest against the hangar doors. The pilot and one passenger evacuated through a shattered windscreen; both escaped without serious injury, though the passenger sustained minor whiplash.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the touchdown and the subsequent mechanical behavior of the aircraft. While there were no eyewitnesses to the moment of impact, the sound of the crash prompted immediate assistance from nearby personnel. The investigation noted that the wind conditions were light and variable from the west, and the aircraft had not been positioned close enough to the hangar to suggest a rotor strike was imminent prior to the loss of control. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while the commander held a Private Pilot’s Licence with over 1,000 total flying hours, they had only 8 hours of experience on this specific type, with only 0.7 hours acting as Pilot in Command.
Findings
- The helicopter sustained damage beyond economic repair, including the loss of large sections of the main rotor blades.
- Flying debris from the crash caused significant damage to the hangar's roof and doors.
- A Twin Squirrel helicopter located inside the hangar suffered a broken windscreen, and another helicopter sustained slight damage.
- The hard touchdown on the concrete apron triggered the violent oscillations and subsequent loss of control.