Incident Overview
A helicopter pilot reported that he completed the before takeoff checks and raised the helicopter "light on the skids" during lift-off from a refueling pad. Shortly after becoming airborne, the pilot noted a slight yaw to the left, which then developed into a rapid spin to the left that could not be corrected with right-pedal input.
Pilot Actions
To arrest the spin, the pilot closed the throttle, lowered the collective, and closed the mixture control. During the fourth rotation, the tail of the helicopter struck a pole-mounted fire extinguisher. Following the impact, the helicopter came to rest upright.
Mechanical and Environmental Factors
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter. He attributed the loss of control to his heavy coat and boots, which he wore to combat the unseasonably cold weather, stating that these items may have interfered with the flight controls.