What happened
Following refueling, a helicopter departed north from a helipad with an observer on board. As the aircraft overflew a 50-foot building located 141 feet from the pad, it began to shudder. A second instance of shuddering occurred as the aircraft crossed a powerline situated 292 feet from the pad. According to the observer, the helicopter performed a right, flat turn before impacting the top crossbeam of a powerline pole.
The aircraft then struck the ground in a nose-low attitude, sliding to the right. The impact triggered a fire. The pilot was initially trapped within the wreckage, but the observer and a passing truck driver were able to extricate him. The pilot sustained serious burns and head injuries. The observer was not injured.
The investigation
Investigators found evidence of continuity in the engine and flight controls. However, the magnetos sustained fire damage and could not be tested. Performance calculations performed during the investigation indicated that the power required for a 50-foot hover out of ground effect (HOGE) was 154 HP, while the power available should have been 173 HP.
Weather conditions at the local airport's METAR indicated winds from 100 degrees at 7 knots. At the time of the accident, the windsock at the helipad was non-functional. The pilot had alternative takeoff options, including departing on a heading of 140 degrees or back-taxiing approximately 150 feet to depart on a heading of 320 degrees.
At the time of the crash, the pilot was wearing a polyester-based police uniform without a flight helmet or gloves. The observer was wearing a Nomex flight suit and boots, but also lacked a helmet and gloves.