Accident Overview
A helicopter accident occurred during a departure from a clear cut area in forested mountainous terrain. The elevation at the departure point was 4,961 feet. The helicopter lifted off vertically while oriented in a southerly direction, climbing to an altitude of about 40 feet. It then turned 90 degrees to the left and proceeded down the hillside to the east. After traveling approximately 100 to 150 feet, the helicopter began to sway back and forth before impacting the ground in a nose-low, left bank attitude.
Witness Observations
A witness reported that the wind was switching directions during the morning, and at the time of the accident, the wind was blowing down slope toward the east. The closest weather reporting facility, located 8 miles west of the accident site, reported winds gusting out of the west to 16 knots.
Examination Findings
A post-accident examination found no evidence of any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. During the accident flight, the helicopter was being operated 77 pounds over the maximum gross weight for an out-of-ground-effect hover under the existing conditions. Additionally, the helicopter was operating in a high-density-altitude environment, computed to be 6,841 feet mean sea level.