Incident Overview
A helicopter operating at Bishop International Airport (FNT) in Flint, Michigan, sustained substantial damage when it cartwheeled during a run-on landing to the grass infield. The event occurred after the pilot reported difficulties with the helicopter's vertical pitch during the initial climb.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that during climbout at an altitude of approximately 200 to 300 feet above ground level and about 3,000 feet from the approach end of a 7,848-foot runway, the engine was not producing sufficient lift. Instead of landing straight ahead on the remaining runway, the pilot chose to execute a run-on landing to the grass infield. The pilot later reported that he elected the grass landing because he was uncertain about the position of another aircraft behind him and did not want to be a problem. He noted that if he had been the only aircraft in the pattern, he would have landed on the runway. The air traffic controller had cleared the pilot to land wherever he needed.
Investigation Findings
The helicopter had accumulated a total of 56.8 hours since new. An inspection of the airframe, flight controls, and drive train revealed no pre-existing anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was removed and placed on a test stand, where an engine run was conducted. The engine met all parameters specified in the Lycoming Production Manual Engine Test Log.