Accident Overview
A helicopter accident occurred while the pilot was repositioning the aircraft to the refueling area behind the helipad to take on more fuel before the next sightseeing operation. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.
Flight Preparation and Maneuver
The pilot checked that all gauges were in normal operating ranges and that no warning lights were on. He then spooled up the helicopter to 100 percent and again verified normal gauge readings. The pilot began to slowly raise the collective. According to the pilot, the front end of the helicopter started to rise, and the helicopter began moving backward while still not fully off the ground.
Accident Sequence
As the pilot continued raising the collective, he noticed that the right rear skid had become buried into the gravel. He immediately pushed the collective down, but the helicopter rolled to the right onto its side and then came to rest inverted.
Wreckage and Site Examination
Examination of the accident site revealed a flat, gravel helipad. The wreckage showed the helicopter inverted with the main rotor severed. The roof of the cabin had crush damage and was detached from the rest of the cabin. Both main rotor blades were bent, the tip of one rotor blade was broken off, and the tail rotor drive shaft was damaged. Additionally, a passing automobile sustained damage from flying helicopter debris.