No investigation after rollover
Jun 29, 2011
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (Statens Haverikommission, SHK) has decided not to proceed in the post-accident examination following a training accident in Vilhelmina last year. It published a report today saying that the investigation has been cancelled due to the art of the accident.
The event itself occurred on July 17 last year, when a Hughes 369D (SE-HRK) was conducting autorotation practices for a type rating at Sagadal Airport in Vilhelmina. At the very last phase of the autorotation, after touch-down, the leading end of the right skid got stuck in the ground as the helicopter was sliding forward, why the aircraft rolled over. None of the two very experienced pilots were hurt in the accident, but the helicopter was substantially damaged.
The document published by the Investigation Board today states that full-down autorotation exercises is a well-known hazard in helicopter aviation, and that there have been many reports published in the matter. Even the slightest mistake in such an exercise can lead to an accident, which most often is survivable. The Board concludes by staying that it “does not see that a deeper investigation of this accident can add any new perspectives in regard to flight safety.”