Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot landed the helicopter on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a rollover.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was conducting an off-airport landing in a helicopter. After landing, the pilot lowered the collective to transfer the weight to the skids, the left skid slid into a deep, overgrown rut, and the helicopter to rolled onto its left side. The rotor blades impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage. Also, the left side of the fuselage was crushed inward, and the tail rotor drive shaft fractured. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had looked closer at the landing site.