What happened
The incident occurred while a pilot was conducting a local fish spotting mission. The operation began directly from the deck of a fishing vessel rather than a traditional airfield. During the preflight inspection, the pilot neglected to untie the tiedown rope securing the right front skid of the helicopter.
When the pilot initiated the takeoff roll and attempted to lift off, the aircraft did not rise as expected. Instead, the unremoved rope held the right side of the landing gear firmly in place. This constraint caused the helicopter to roll sharply to the right immediately upon applying power.
As the aircraft rolled uncontrollably, the main rotor blades made contact with the fishing vessel's flight deck. The collision resulted in damage to both the rotor system and the vessel's structure. The pilot was unable to recover from the abnormal attitude due to the mechanical restriction imposed by the tiedown rope.
The investigation
Examination of the helicopter revealed that the right front skid remained secured to the vessel during the initial phase of takeoff. The tiedown rope had not been released prior to engine start or rotation. This oversight prevented normal lift generation on the right side, leading to an immediate and violent roll to the right.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the pilot's failure to remove a critical tiedown device during preflight. The omission of this simple step directly caused the loss of control and subsequent collision with the vessel. There were no indications of mechanical failure or weather-related issues. The event highlights the importance of thorough preflight checks, especially when operating from non-standard platforms.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure all tiedown ropes, covers, and securing devices are completely removed before attempting takeoff. Operating from vessels requires extra vigilance due to limited space and the presence of fixed structures nearby.