Accident Details
On 1 February 2002, at approximately 1300Z, a Robinson R-22 Beta helicopter, registration ZS-REH, was involved in an accident during a recurrent training flight at Rand Airport (FAGM), Germiston, South Africa. The aircraft was occupied by an instructor pilot and a private pilot, with two people on board. No injuries were reported.
Flight Sequence
The flight was a dual check ride for a private pilot returning from a three-month layoff. The planned exercises included emergencies and an auto-rotation from 500 feet above ground level from the downwind position, specifically a 180° auto-rotation with power recovery. According to the instructor, the initial part of the auto-rotation was uneventful due to a slow turn rate. However, as more bank was applied, the rate of descent increased to an abnormally high level. The instructor decided to abort the maneuver, initiating a recovery with an early flare while coming out of the turn. Despite these actions, the aircraft continued to descend at a high rate, with limited time available. The instructor opened the throttle and applied collective with a slight flare until impact. The aircraft touched down at an indicated airspeed of approximately 30–35 knots. Upon impact, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom, and the skid gear assembly collapsed. The aircraft remained upright, and both occupants exited uninjured.
Probable Cause
The South African Civil Aviation Authority determined the probable cause to be: With an approaching thunderstorm from the south (causing severe wind gust conditions), the instructor pilot continued with the auto-rotation in a westerly direction. He therefore did not compensate for the change in wind direction, which resulted in an abnormally high rate of descent with insufficient height available to recover.