Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot planned to land near a restaurant for lunch with three passengers. He over flew the landing area and then set up for a “gradual and slow” approach. When the helicopter touched down, he felt the tail drop backwards. The pilot stated that he compensated by adding collective and forward cyclic which inadvertently induced a dynamic rollover. He added that a gusty tailwind prevailed at the time of the landing. The helicopter sustained damage to the main rotor blades, the main rotor transmission mount, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizers. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the helicopter before the accident.