Accident Narrative
A certified flight instructor (CFI) was conducting demonstration discovery flights in a helicopter. After landing, the first passenger exited and a second passenger entered the helicopter and fastened her seatbelt. As the CFI initiated takeoff, the helicopter lifted approximately 2 inches off the ground and began a left roll. The CFI lowered the collective and rolled off the throttle. Despite the CFI's attempts to move the cyclic to the right, it consistently moved to the left, and the helicopter could not be corrected. The left roll continued until the helicopter contacted the ground, resulting in damage to the skids, rotor blades, and tail boom.
Passenger Statement
When interviewed by an FAA inspector, the passenger stated that her left leg was not close enough to the center post of the cyclic to make contact with it. She further stated that the pilot (flight instructor) did not say anything during the takeoff. She observed that the pilot had both hands on the collective on his left and grabbed the cyclic as the helicopter lifted off.
Post-Accident Examination
The FAA inspector established continuity of the cyclic, collective, and tail rotor controls during a post-accident examination of the helicopter. No other factual findings are included in the source.