Incident Overview
A pilot was in the process of purchasing a helicopter from a business located at an airport. After completing a successful acceptance flight earlier that morning, the pilot landed the helicopter on the ramp, shut down the engine, and finalized the purchase agreement. The pilot had brought a trailer to the airport to transport the helicopter back to Louisiana.
Landing Maneuver
The pilot initiated a slow descent onto the trailer platform, positioning the left skid as close to the left rail as possible. Upon touchdown, the helicopter slid approximately 1 inch to the right. The pilot noted that the left skid appeared square with the left rail. As the pilot lowered the collective, the helicopter began drifting toward the right skid. In response, the pilot applied power and left lateral cyclic to stop the drift. Subsequently, the helicopter banked sharply to the left, and the rotor blades struck the ground.
Damage and Aftermath
The impact with the ground caused the helicopter to roll onto its left side, severing the tail boom. The pilot reported that this was the first time he had attempted to land on a stationary trailer. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector noted that the width of the trailer was approximately 4 inches greater than the width of the helicopter's landing skids.
Investigation
The accident was investigated by the FAA. The pilot stated that the landing was his first experience setting down on a stationary trailer. No further details regarding the helicopter's registration or the pilot's injuries were provided in the source.