What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on null involved a aircraft, registration EI-SQG, at IE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The main rotor blades struck a 15-foot tree during a reverse air taxi maneuver because the tree was not observed by the pilot.

Helicopter rotor damage during takeoff at Dublin golf course

An Augusta A 109E sustained significant damage to its main rotor blades after striking a tree during a takeoff maneuver in Dublin.

What happened

On 25 September 2002, an Augusta A 109E, registration EI-SQG, operated by Premier Helicopters Ltd, was involved in an incident at the Spawell Leisure Centre in Dublin 6. The pilot had landed on a golf course at the facility to pick up three passengers for a flight to Listowel, Co. Kerry. The pilot chose the golf course as the landing site to avoid potential debris, such as grit or stones, present in the nearby car park.

After boarding the passengers, the pilot initiated a takeoff by lifting into a hover and then air taxiing the aircraft in reverse to increase the available takeoff distance. During this backward maneuver, the upper portion of the four main rotor blades struck the top of a conifer tree, which stood approximately 15 feet tall. The tail rotor remained undamaged as it passed clear of the tree. Upon feeling vibrations through the flight controls, the pilot performed an immediate landing and shut down the engines. The pilot and all three passengers exited the aircraft safely with no injuries.

The investigation

The AAIU investigation focused on the circumstances of the tree strike and the suitability of the landing site. Investigators confirmed that the pilot, seated in the right-hand seat, did not observe the tree, which was located to the left rear of the aircraft. The investigation also noted that while the Spawell Leisure Centre hosts roughly twelve helicopter operations annually, the facility lacks dedicated on-site firefighting personnel or specialized emergency equipment, relying instead on the Tallaght fire brigade for any major incidents.

Findings

The primary cause of the incident was the impact between the main rotor blades and a 15-foot conifer tree during a reverse air taxi maneuver.
The pilot's position in the right-hand seat and the aircraft's movement direction contributed to the tree remaining undetected.
The aircraft sustained extensive damage to its four main rotor blades, and the impact necessitated a full inspection of the helicopter's dynamic components.

Safety action

The operator was advised to review the general suitability of the landing locations utilized during its public transport operations.