What happened
The pilot reported that he did not detach a portable transport dolly from the aircraft prior to initiating takeoff. As the helicopter began its rotation for liftoff, the pilot realized the equipment remained firmly attached to the airframe. In an effort to mitigate the situation, he attempted to abort the maneuver and land immediately.
The unbalanced weight caused the helicopter to roll violently toward the left side. During this rollover, the main rotor blades made contact with the ground surface. The impact severed the tail boom of the aircraft. A fire broke out in the wreckage following the crash.
The investigation
Examination of the incident revealed that the primary mechanical failure was due to the retention of external equipment during flight operations. The dolly, intended for ground transport, remained secured to the helicopter during the critical takeoff phase.