Accident Sequence
According to the helicopter pilot, the accident occurred during the engine run-up sequence while the helicopter was positioned on a movable helicopter pad attached to a tug. The pilot noticed that the right rear door was not secure. He then unhooked his shoulder harness to reach back and secure the door. While attempting to do so, the pilot reported that he inadvertently applied the right tail rotor pedal. This caused the helicopter to spin to the right multiple times.
During the rotation, the helicopter departed the movable pad and impacted the tug. After the impact, the helicopter came to rest in an upright position on the ground.
Damage
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer as a result of the accident.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The incident was attributed solely to the inadvertent application of the tail rotor pedal during the attempt to secure the door.