Robinson R22 Beta Reg G-CTRL Helicopter Mast Tag
This tag is from the mast of G-CTRL. This aircraft was written off after an accident (no fatalities), details below.
Standard imperfections from the accident, operations and cutting.
Pictures are example only, tag is chosen at random.
Accident Synopsis from gov.uk:
Robinson R22 Beta, G-CTRL
1 Lycoming O-360-J2A piston engine
2004 (Serial no: 3601)
30 January 2018 at 1045 hrs
Nottingham Heliport
Training
Crew - 1 Passengers - None Crew - 1 (Minor) Passengers - N/A Extensive damage, beyond economic repair Student
62 years
41 hours (of which 41 were on type) Last 90 days - 9 hours
Last 28 days - 3 hours
Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot
The helicopter rolled onto its right side when the student pilot attempted to lift into the hover to make his first solo flight. The instructor was watching from nearby and witnessed the helicopter rotate around the right skid and fall on its side due to dynamic rollover.
History of the flight
After a satisfactory training flight lasting 55 minutes, which incorporated numerous takeoffs and landings, the instructor assessed that the student pilot had handled the helicopter competently and was ready for his first solo flight. He reminded the student pilot that, with no instructor occupying the left seat, the helicopter’s Centre of Gravity (CG) would move right and aft, so the cyclic stick would have to be positioned to the left and forward to compensate, and that gentle control movements should be made during lift off.
The instructor moved away to a safe distance before signalling the pilot to lift off. When the pilot saw this signal, he adjusted the cyclic stick to what he thought was the correct position and raised the collective lever. He stated that he used the available visual cues and made appropriate control adjustments, but was unable to prevent the helicopter rolling quickly onto its right side. The instructor reported that the pilot kept the helicopter straight through correct use of the yaw pedals but did not apply sufficient left cyclic control to compensate for the change of CG. He saw the helicopter roll onto its right side with the rotor blades stopping when they hit the grass.
The instructor approached the helicopter and found the pilot trapped in his seat with minor injuries to his hands, so he helped him climb out through the left doorway, prior to arrival of the heliport rescue service. The instructor then switched off the fuel and electric supplies to the helicopter. His assessment was that the accident occurred as a result of dynamic rollover; a phenomenon the pilot had been briefed about in the classroom and pre-flight.
