Investigation number
198902574
Occurrence date
Location
Hoxton Park
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Hard landing
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

After a dual check, the student was authorised for his second solo flight. He was briefed to practice simple hover manoeuvres and landings on the grass. When he was confident with these, he was to practice landings on the hard-stand. By about 0935 hours, he had not practised any hard-stand landings, but as he had been briefed to return to the school by 0940, he commenced to taxy back along the taxiway. About halfway back, feeling tired, he decided to land on the taxiway to rest before continuing. He turned the aircraft into the gusty, westerly wind, and commenced a landing. He allowed the aircraft to drift backward off the taxiway and reverted to an earlier fault of landing quickly. The right skid heel dug into the grass and the left skid then hit firmly. The student allowed the aircraft to bounce, drift left, yaw and hit the ground again with the heels of both skids. The student was quite shaken and remained on the ground for about two minutes before hover taxiing the helicopter to the hangar. A subsequent inspection revealed substantial damage to the landing skid attachments. This accident was not the subject of a formal on scene investigation.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Robinson Helicopter Co
Model
R22
Registration
VH-HTA
Serial number
419
Operation type
Flying Training
Sector
Helicopter
Departure point
Hoxton Park NSW
Departure time
0910
Destination
Hoxton Park NSW
Damage
Substantial