Background
The helicopter was listed for sale but was not airworthy and had not been flown for six months. One week before the accident, the owner showed the helicopter to a pilot. The owner and the pilot conducted a ground run, but the owner prohibited any flight.
Accident Sequence
A week after the ground run, the pilot flew the helicopter without the owner's permission or presence. According to witnesses, the helicopter did not appear stable during repeated takeoff attempts. On the third attempt to lift off, the helicopter became airborne, moved forward, and climbed to an altitude of approximately 5 to 10 feet above ground. It then moved aft, causing the tailboom to impact the ground. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled to the right, and the main rotor blades struck the ground.
Aftermath
Over the following 18 months, the National Transportation Safety Board made repeated requests for the pilot to provide a statement or complete and return the required Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form 6120.1/2. These requests were unsuccessful.