Summary
During a practice circuit, the pilot noticed an intermittent vibration through the aircraft. He elected to discontinue the exercise and carried out a normal landing. As the mixture control was placed in the idle/cut-off position, one of the main rotor blades struck the tail boom. The vibration noticed by the pilot probably resulted from spark plug fouling. Strong, gusty wind conditions prevalent at the time of the accident, were ideal for exaggerated main rotor flapping known as "blade sailing".
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 198700109 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 29/10/1987 |
| Location | Jandakot |
| Report release date | 26/02/1988 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Robinson Helicopter Co |
|---|---|
| Model | R22 |
| Registration | VH-JVC |
| Serial number | 335 |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Flying Training |
| Departure point | Jandakot WA |
| Destination | Jandakot WA |
| Damage | Substantial |