Accident Reports

Robinson R22 Beta, G-OBIL

The student pilot had been briefed for a visual circuit detail and sent to start-up the helicopter, the instructor planning to join him once the engine was running. The helicopter was positioned on the dry concrete apron facing south; the wind was 210˚/12 knots.

The student was completing his after-start checks. He increased the rotor rpm and the aircraft started to rotate anti-clockwise. He immediately closed the throttle and the rpm initially dropped before rising back to 104%. The aircraft continued to rotate for five or six revolutions across the ground before the tail rotor hit the grass and broke, whereupon the aircraft stopped rotating...