What happened
The pilot initially requested a specific loadout prior to departure, asking for 15 gallons of fuel and 30 gallons of fungicide. However, the ground crew mistakenly loaded the aircraft with 40 gallons of fuel and 40 gallons of chemical instead. This error resulted in the helicopter being significantly heavier than intended.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot attempted to lift off while encountering a tailwind. The excessive weight, combined with the adverse wind conditions and high density altitude of approximately 5,500 feet, prevented the rotorcraft from achieving sufficient lift. As a result, the helicopter settled back toward the ground during the initial climb phase.
The impact forces caused immediate structural failure. The right skid collapsed upon contact with the surface, and the stress was severe enough to cause the tailboom separated from the main fuselage. The aircraft sustained substantial damage due to the combination of overloading and improper takeoff conditions.