Accident Overview
On 22 October 2001 at approximately 1045Z, a Robinson R22 helicopter (registration ZS-HAN) experienced a hard landing at FAGM. The aircraft was being flown by a student pilot on a solo training flight. The pilot was the sole occupant and was not injured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The helicopter was a Robinson R22. The student pilot held a valid license and an unrestricted medical certificate. The pilot had accumulated 34 total flying hours, with 14 hours on the Robinson R22 type. The flight was a training operation conducted under the operator’s domestic air services license, and the student was duly authorized for the flight. According to available documentation, the aircraft had been correctly maintained.
Accident Details
The flight originated from and was intended to return to FAGM. After completing a solo flight exercise, the student pilot approached a designated landing area at FAGM. During the hover, the pilot applied power. The helicopter then entered a violent right-hand accelerating spin, followed by a hard landing. The pilot escaped from the helicopter unharmed.
Damage
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the skids and the engine frame, as well as minor damage to the vertical stabilizer. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were fine.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated in the investigation, was that the student failed to counteract the main rotor thrust during the landing.