What happened
On 23 October 2010, at approximately 14:22 UTC, an AS355F1 helicopter, registration G-BPRI, was preparing for departure at Abridge Golf Course in Essex. The pilot had completed the engine start sequence for both Allison 250-C20F turboshaft engines and had confirmed that the immediate area was clear of obstructions.
During this period, a golf cart was traveling at a high rate of speed on the right side of the aircraft. The vehicle passed behind the helicopter, making contact with the tail rotor disc. The impact caused the cart to strike the helicopter's roof before continuing for roughly 80 meters. The occupants of the golf cart, which included an adult and a child, were uninjured following the incident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the impact and the mechanical state of the aircraft. It was established that the collision caused substantial damage to the tail rotor, tail rotor gearbox, tail rotor drive train, and the bottom vertical stabiliser.
The investigation focused on the movement of the golf cart. It was determined that a young child, who had boarded the cart with an adult, had accidentally depressed the accelerator pedal. This unintended acceleration caused the vehicle to move out of control, leading it into the path of the rotating tail rotor.