Accident Overview
A helicopter supporting a seismic drilling operation at a remote drill site sustained substantial damage after a loss of control during a tail rotor inspection following a long line move.
Sequence of Events
The pilot had just completed moving one of the seismic drills via long line and landed the high-skid, turbine-powered helicopter in a clear area to await the next move. After landing, before reducing power to flight idle and locking the flight controls, he opened the right-side door, returned his right hand to the cyclic, and leaned out to ensure the tail rotor was clear of obstacles. While looking rearward, he inadvertently moved the cyclic to the right, causing the helicopter to roll up on the right skid. He immediately applied left cyclic, but the main rotor blades struck the snow.
Damage Assessment
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the rotor system, tail boom, and fuselage. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot's Statement
In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot noted that the accident might have been avoided if he had used the collective lock before engaging in activities outside the cockpit.