Incident Overview
A helicopter pilot reported that the accident occurred while performing a hover taxi for takeoff. The helicopter was approximately three feet above the ground when the pilot believed he saw a person at the corner of a driveway. In response, the pilot stopped the helicopter, and the aircraft subsequently drifted to the left. During this leftward drift, the main rotor blade impacted a nearby tree, causing substantial damage to the fuselage.
Operational Details
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have prevented normal operation. The flight was intended to proceed with takeoff after the hover taxi phase.
Post-Accident Information
The investigation focused on the sequence of events as described by the pilot. No information regarding the aircraft make, model, registration, operator, location, date, time of day, weather conditions, or involvement of air traffic control was provided in the initial report. The number of occupants and any injuries were also unspecified.
Damage Assessment
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter's fuselage due to the rotor strike. The extent of damage beyond the fuselage was not detailed.