Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to remove the right skid trailer tie-down before attempting to take off, which resulted in a dynamic roll-over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The helicopter pilot was attempting to take off from a trailer to conduct an aerial survey. During the liftoff from the trailer, the helicopter rolled right and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the right skid trailer tie-down had not been removed before the takeoff attempt. Both main rotors, the fuselage, and the tailboom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The commercial pilot was attempting to takeoff from a trailer in a helicopter to conduct an aerial survey. During the lift off from the trailer, the helicopter rolled right and impacted the ground. A post accident inspection revealed that the right skid tie-down to the trailer had not been removed prior to the takeoff attempt. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.