Accident Overview
On February 6, 2016, at 1239 eastern standard time, a Bell 206B helicopter, registration N206R, was substantially damaged when it rolled over during takeoff from a parking dolly at Linden Airport (LDJ) in Linden, New Jersey. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the flight instructor was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. The helicopter was owned and operated by the private pilot. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Sequence of Events
According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to provide transition training in the helicopter. A preflight inspection, flight control check, and hydraulic check were performed prior to liftoff with no anomalies noted. The pilot receiving instruction was at the controls during the initial takeoff to a hover. When the helicopter became "light on the skids," it started to roll to the left. The helicopter continued to roll left, impacted the ground, and came to rest on its right side. During the initial takeoff, the flight instructor was looking to the left to verify the area was clear, and he stated he had "never felt anything that quick."
A security video recording from the airport captured the accident sequence. The helicopter was started on the dolly, then began to rotate to the right on the dolly, and immediately rolled to the left. The helicopter impacted the ground on its left side, bounced, and came to rest on its right side.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
According to FAA records, the pilot receiving instruction purchased the helicopter on January 5, 2016. The most recent annual inspection was performed on July 1, 2015, and a 3,000-hour maintenance inspection was completed on December 21, 2015.
The pilot/owner held a private pilot certificate with a helicopter rating. His most recent third-class medical was issued on January 4, 2016. He reported 625 hours of total helicopter flight time, with 5 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter.
The flight instructor held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and rotorcraft-helicopter; a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine sea; and a private pilot certificate with a rating for gliders. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine, rotorcraft-helicopter, and instrument airplane and helicopter. His most recent second-class medical was issued on July 22, 2015. He reported 25,000 hours total flight time, including 2,760 hours in the same make and model, and 1,020 hours as an instructor in that make and model.
Postaccident Examination
Examination of the dolly revealed no scrapes or score marks on its diamond steel platform. The helicopter's fuselage, main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, and tailboom were substantially damaged. No anomalies were found with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. Additionally, the pilot/owner had a mechanic examine the helicopter, who noted no preexisting malfunctions or anomalies.