What happened
On 5 November 2000, a Robinson R44, registration G-UTTS, was positioned on an asphalt taxiway at Retford (Gamston) Airport. The aircraft was parked between two fixed-wing planes, facing a headwind of roughly 6 to 10 knots. Following a standard engine start, the pilot initiated a lift into a low hover. During this maneuver, the pilot became dissatisfied with the aircraft's handling characteristics and attempted to land.
During the descent, the helicopter drifted slightly, causing the rear of the skids to contact the grass just off the taxiway. This caused the aircraft to tilt backward, resulting in the tail rotor striking the ground. During the impact, a detached tail rotor blade struck one of the main rotor blades. The pilot performed emergency shutdown procedures, and all four occupants—the pilot and three passengers—evacuated the aircraft with no injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the loss of control. The investigation established that the aircraft had sustained serious damage to the rear fuselage and the tail rotor, along with damage to one main rotor blade.
Upon returning to the scene to inspect the wreckage, the pilot discovered that the switch for the hydraulic cyclic and collective controls had been left in the 'Off' position. The pilot subsequently acknowledged this oversight in his report to the authorities.