N905WP

On May 13, 2007, at 0745 central daylight time, a single-engine Bell 206B3 helicopter, N905WP, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while attempting to takeoff from a private subdivision near Horseshoe Bay, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91flight. No flight plan was filed for the intended 214-nautical mile personal cross-country flight which was originating at the time of the mishap. The flight's destination was the Midland International Airport (MAF), near Midland, Texas.

The 90-hour helicopter pilot reported that the forward portion of the right landing gear skid got became hung-up with the tall grass on the soft and wet ground while the pilot attempted to bring the aircraft to a hover prior to takeoff. The helicopter encountered dynamic rollover and rolled uncontrolled, coming to rest on its right side.

The pilot stated that he was well aware of dynamic rollover; however, he never considered the possibility of a landing gear skid tube being "hung-up" on the soft ground. Dynamic rollover was well discussed during his initial helicopter training, and was normally associated with slope landings. The pilot further stated, that while planning his takeoff to a hover, he was primarily concerned with a tree located on the left side of the aircraft. He wanted to make sure the did not inadvertently allowed the helicopter to drift to the left when he brought the helicopter to a hover.

An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, confirmed that the helicopter came to rest on its right side, resulting in structural damage to the airframe and the tailboom. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the helicopter unassisted. The pilot denied having any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe. The fuel system was not compromised and there were no fuel spills. The helicopter had approximately 95 gallons of fuel on board at the time of the mishap.

At 0753, the weather at the Burnett Municipal Airport (BMQ), located approximately 9-nautical miles northeast of the mishap, was reporting calm wind, clear skies, 10-miles visibility, temperature 23 degree Celsius, dew point 16 degree Celsius, with an altimeter setting of 30.16 inches.