What happened
The accident occurred during the initial phase of takeoff. The pilot had just finished loading two passengers who were seated exclusively on the left side of the aircraft. As the helicopter began to lift off from the ground, the left skid struck and became lodged in the dirt surface.
Because the weight distribution was uneven due to the passenger placement, the stuck skid acted as a pivot point. The pilot attempted to continue the takeoff climb, but the helicopter did not rise cleanly. Instead, it underwent a dynamic rollover, tipping over onto its side while remaining connected to the ground by the trapped left skid.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor was the dynamic rollover phenomenon. This occurred because the left skid remained stuck in the dirt while the pilot applied power to lift off. The presence of two passengers on the left side contributed to the lateral imbalance, exacerbating the roll moment once the skid failed to clear the surface.
Weather conditions were not a contributing factor to the incident. All occupants aboard the helicopter escaped without injury.