Report on aviation accident at Sandefjord Airport, Norway, 21 November 2015 involving Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Beta, LN-OZP operated by European Helicopter Center
Aviation report 2016/07
The purpose of the flight was to conduct a skill test for PPL (H) certificate. The flight consisted of several elements, among them auto rotations down taxiway "Y south." After these auto rotations were completed, a simulated loss of engine power from low hover should be performed.
The engine RPM dropped. The candidate started to give left cyclic stick, which gave a lateral movement to the left. The examiner grabbed the cyclic stick and tried to correct with a cyclic stick movement to the right, but did not stop the left movement of the helicopter before the left landing gear came in contact with the ground surface consisting of frozen grass and snow. The helicopter overturned. The main rotor struck the ground a couple of turns before the helicopter came to rest on the left side.
The flying school has since the accident revised its procedures so that this exercise is performed on hard surfaces. This reduces the risk that the skids are prevented from lateral movement due to it sinking into soft ground.
This report is in Norwegian only. No safety recommendation is issued in connection with this investigation.
Facts
| Location | Sandefjord Airport ENTO, Norway |
| Occurrence date | 21.11.2015 |
| ICAO Location indicator | ENTO |
| Aircraft | Robinson R22 |
| Registration | LN-OZP |
| Meteorological conditions | VMC |
| County | Vestfold |
| Type of occurrence | Accident |
| Type of operation | Training |
| Category of operation | Light, helicopter (<= 2 250kg) |
| Aircraft category | Helicopter, Single-engine, Piston engine |
| FIR/AOR | ENOS (Oslo ATCC) |