What happened
On May 11, 2011, a student pilot was conducting solo training flights at Skuteč airport in the Czech Republic. After successfully completing six previous sorties, the pilot attempted a seventh takeoff from runway 13.
At an altitude of approximately 1 meter above the ground, the Robinson R22M (registration OK-XIF) began to drift to the right. In an attempt to correct this deviation, the pilot applied pressure to the left anti-torque pedal. During this maneuver, the tip of the pilot's boot slipped beneath the smooth surface of the pedal. As the pilot instinctively looked down and attempted to pull their foot back from under the pedal, they inadvertently moved the directional control in the opposite direction.
This sudden, unintended input caused the helicopter to rotate sharply to the right and tilt. Due to the extremely low altitude, the pilot was unable to recover control. The aircraft struck the ground, breaking the rear landing gear and the lower fuselage. The impact caused the main rotor blade to strike the tail boom, resulting in the separation of the boom and the destruction of both the main and tail rotor blades. The helicopter ultimately overturned onto its right side. The pilot sustained minor injuries to the arm and leg.
The investigation
Investigators from the ÚZPLN examined the wreckage and interviewed the student pilot and the flight instructor. The investigation focused on the mechanics of the control input and the physical interaction between the pilot's footwear and the flight controls.
Technical analysis of the OK-XIF confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and that the control systems were fully functional prior to the accident. The investigation also noted that the instructor was monitoring the flight via radio from the airfield and was able to assist the pilot immediately after the aircraft overturned.