Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s improper takeoff procedure, which resulted in a dynamic rollover when the left skid contacted the ground.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot refueled his helicopter and was performing a takeoff from an area near the airport’s fuel pumps. As the helicopter began to lift, the pilot allowed the helicopter’s tail to remain in a low attitude. As a result, the aft end of the left skid contacted the ground and the helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover. The helicopter came to rest on its left side and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The helicopter’s fuselage and tail boom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN11CA213