Event Details
A helicopter pilot reported that a few minutes after departure, he performed a precautionary off-airport landing in a cleared area of a marsh section adjacent to a bay. The purpose of the landing was to correct a sticking floor-mounted push-to-talk microphone switch. The helicopter was shut down, and the pilot rectified the issue.
Sequence of Events
After the correction, the helicopter was started. As the pilot lifted off to a hover, the helicopter began to spin to the right. The pilot managed to land the helicopter again in the marsh area. Once on the ground, he shut down the helicopter. However, grass beneath the aircraft caught fire due to the heat from the engine exhaust system.
Aftermath
The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the helicopter and a section of the marsh before firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze. The helicopter was completely consumed by the fire.
No injuries or fatalities were reported. The exact time of day, weather conditions, and aircraft type were not specified in the investigation source.