Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. A contributing factor was the low rotor RPM.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, during the attempted takeoff, he raised the collective and the helicopter "became light on its skids." The pilot verified the wind conditions based on his observation with nearby trees. The wind was observed to be "light" and from the south-southwest direction. The pilot initiated a turn into the direction of the wind, and prior to transitional lift, the rotor RPM dropped. The pilot attempted to recover the drop in rotor RPM by lowering the collective. The helicopter skids touched the terrain, and the helicopter rolled over on it's right side. The pilot stated, "I believe I got a wind gust that contributed to the low [rotor] RPM."
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the pilot, during the attempted takeoff, he raised the collective and the helicopter "became light on its skids." The pilot verified the wind conditions based his observation with nearby trees. The wind was observed to be "light" and from the south-southwest direction. The pilot initiated a turn into the direction of the wind, and prior to transational lift, the rotor RPM dropped. The pilot attempted to recover the drop in rotor RPM by lowering the collective. The helicopter skids touched the terrain, and the helicopter rolled over on it's right side. The pilot stated, "I believe I got a wind gust that contributed to the low [rotor] RPM."