Summary
On 2 December 2022, at 0630Z, a student pilot (SP) flying a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter (registration ZS-RYX) was conducting a solo navigation training flight under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations. The flight departed from Rand Airport (FAGM) in Gauteng Province, South Africa, with planned routes via the NDB Romeo Delta, Baragwanath Airfield, and Vereeniging Airfield before returning to FAGM. The SP reported a safe touch-and-go landing at Baragwanath and then routed back to FAGM without landing at Vereeniging.
What Happened
Upon reaching FAGM, the SP received updated weather information and landing clearance from air traffic control before crossing the active Runway 29 threshold. The SP hover-taxied the helicopter northward to the designated helipad in front of Hangar Number 6, near Runway 35. As the SP settled the helicopter on the ground, the rear portion of the right skid contacted the ground hard, causing the helicopter to bounce. To correct this, the SP lowered the collective lever, intending a smooth touchdown, but the helicopter abruptly yawed 90 degrees to the left. Startled, the SP raised the collective to avoid a potential dynamic rollover and made further abrupt collective inputs, causing the nose to pitch up. Shortly after, a loud bang was heard as one of the main rotor blades severed the tail boom while the retreating blade struck the ground. The helicopter landed hard on the rear of its skids, coming to rest on the helipad facing northeast (30 degrees). The SP closed the fuel shut-off valve and attempted to shut down the engine by pulling the mixture control, but the lever was jammed (likely due to impact forces). The SP then turned off the magnetos switch, stopping the engine, and exited through the right-side door.
Witnesses, including personnel from the operator and other operators, rushed to the scene. Small flames from the auxiliary fuel tank were extinguished with fire extinguishers. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, but the pilot was uninjured.
Findings
The SP held a valid Student Pilot Licence with a Robinson R44 endorsement and a Class 2 medical certificate. The helicopter had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and was properly maintained; no pre-impact anomalies were found in the flight controls or airframe. The weather at the time was wind from 320 degrees at 10 knots, with a headwind component of 7.66 knots and a crosswind of 6.43 knots from the left; the weather was not considered a factor. The accident was attributed to the SP's inadequate leveling of the helicopter's landing skids before touchdown, based on the Robinson R44 Pilot Operating Handbook safety tips.
Probable Cause
The helicopter landed hard on the right skid rear portion, which resulted in loss of control. The helicopter then yawed to the left; to correct this, the SP made abrupt control inputs which caused one of the main rotor blades to strike the tail boom before the helicopter came to rest. Contributing factor: incorrect landing technique.