Incident Overview
According to a witness, the accident occurred around 1100 hours. The witness had previously taken a 20–30 minute helicopter ride with the pilot. After landing, the witness exited and a friend boarded for another ride. The helicopter departed and returned approximately 15 minutes later.
The witness was standing in front of a hangar beside another individual. The helicopter flew by twice—first south to north, then north to south—before turning for a west-to-east pass. As the helicopter approached, the witness estimated its altitude at 8 to 12 feet. The witness was photographing with a disposable camera, while the other person was filming with a video camera.
The witness believed the pilot intended the fly-by for them to capture images. The witness reported that "the blades on top of the helicopter struck the hangar above where [the bystander] and I were standing." The bystander was "struck by something" and fell. The witness then saw the helicopter impact a small fishing boat and pickup truck parked northeast of the hangar. The helicopter came to rest nose-down, partially inverted in the boat cavity.
Video Evidence
The recovered videotape showed the helicopter maneuvering consistently with the witness's account. The tape appeared to depict the helicopter's belly or skid gear striking the video camera and/or the person holding it during the final pass.
Site Examination
Examination of the accident site confirmed that the helicopter's main rotor blades struck the eaves of the hangar immediately above the location where the witness and bystander were standing.
Mechanical Findings
No evidence of any pre-impact mechanical discrepancies with the airframe or engine were found that would have prevented normal operation of the helicopter.
Pilot Information
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had no record of the pilot holding a valid airman or medical certificate. Friends and family members reported that the pilot had been flying the helicopter for many years.