Incident Details
A commercial pilot was repositioning a helicopter to an area 200 yards away. The pilot reported local winds at 15 knots with gusts reaching 50 knots. The maneuver involved a downwind departure from a hover. The subsequent approach to land was also conducted downwind, with a pedal turn executed approximately 30 to 50 feet above ground level (AGL).
Sequence of Events
During the approach, the helicopter drifted laterally in a right direct crosswind. This caused the left skid to contact the ground. Following the skid contact, the helicopter rolled to the left, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The event was described by the pilot as occurring during the repositioning flight.
The pilot's account provided the only documented details of the accident. No other information about the aircraft, occupants, or subsequent condition of the helicopter is available from the source. The accident sequence highlights the challenges of operating in gusty crosswind conditions during downwind maneuvers.