The investigation team of the Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) today (June 17) published the final report (1/2019) on the investigation into an aircraft accident that occurred at Shek Kong Airfield on October 23, 2016, involving a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter (registration mark B-HJU) operated by a flying instructor of the Hong Kong Aviation Club.
The accident occurred when the instructor, based on traffic considerations, landed the helicopter on a grass strip which runs parallel to the runway. When the traffic was clear, the instructor attempted to lift off again to continue to hover-taxi but the fronts of both skids were entangled with the grass. The helicopter subsequently rolled over forward and rested on its left side. The engine stopped on impact. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The instructor suffered some minor injuries while a student pilot onboard was not injured. The occurrence was classified as an accident according to the criteria of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
"The investigation report was published by the AAIA with the objective of identifying the circumstances and causes of the accident with a view to preventing recurrence," an AAIA spokesperson said.
The investigation was conducted by a team of professional investigators in strict adherence to international standards established by the ICAO. The investigation identified that the probable cause of the accident was a dynamic rollover caused by an uncontrollable angular momentum that was created by the instructor's attempt to lift off with the fronts of both the helicopter's skids entangled with long grass. The investigation team made two safety recommendations, mainly suggesting enhanced pilot awareness on dynamic rollover and the management of the grass area at the Shek Kong Airfield, which is used for takeoff and landing by helicopters.
Throughout the investigation, all parties concerned were properly consulted on the report. The report is available for download at the AAIA webpage (www.thb.gov.hk/aaia/eng/investigation_reports/index.htm).
Follow this news feed: East Asia