AAIB investigation to Robinson R66, G-WBRN
Rollover during precautionary landing, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, 11 June 2025
During a planned VFR flight from Denham Airfield, the pilot of a Robinson R66 encountered low cloud shortly after departure. The pilot was not qualified in instrument flying and unintentionally entered IMC around 700 ft agl, leading to spatial disorientation. Attempts to regain VFR conditions by climbing were constrained by controlled airspace. With thickening cloud and a lowering cloud base, the pilot decided to return to Denham. The helicopter broke cloud over fields and the pilot decided to make a precautionary landing. The landing was heavy, resulting in the helicopter rolling over. The pilot was uninjured, but the helicopter was significantly damaged. A section of blade tip was propelled nearly 180 m, embedding itself in a wisteria attached to the wall of a house.
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