Incident Summary
A pilot reported that while experimenting with ballast placement to modify the helicopter's attitude during hover and takeoff, the helicopter drifted right, struck the ballast weight, and rolled over onto its side. The incident occurred during the initial takeoff to a hover.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to test ballast added to the helicopter. In its normal configuration, the helicopter tended to ascend and descend from a hover in a left-skid-low attitude. The pilot believed that proper ballast placement could adjust the center of gravity, achieving a more wings-level attitude during takeoffs and landings.
Before engine start, the pilot placed the ballast weight on the pad to the right of the helicopter. He intended to fly one traffic pattern, land, set the throttle to idle, deplane, install the ballast weight, then fly another pattern to note the difference in attitude during hover and forward flight. However, during the initial takeoff to a hover, the helicopter drifted right, struck the weight, and rolled onto its side.
When asked about his familiarity with dynamic rollover, the pilot responded, "I sure am. What I should have done was lower the collective, but I think I tried to maneuver out of it." The pilot confirmed there were no mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter.
Outcome
The helicopter rolled onto its side after striking the ballast weight during the hover phase. No further details regarding damage or injuries were provided.