Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control while taxiing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The 17,000-hour helicopter commercial pilot, sole occupant of the single-engine helicopter, was attempting to land on a landing cart. The pilot stated that the landing cart is normally used to facilitate moving the helicopter in and out of the hangar. On the day of the accident, the small tractor that is normally connected to the cart was not attached and that the cart wheels were not secured. Upon a normal landing on the stationary cart, the cart began to move towards a hangar. The pilot was unable to re-establish rotor RPM in time to stop the movement of the cart, and the main rotor blades impacted the hangar. The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 700 hours in the same make and model. The hangar was substantially damaged.
Source record
Factual narrative
The 17,000-hour helicopter commercial pilot, sole occupant of the single-engine helicopter, was attempting to land on a landing cart. The pilot stated that the landing cart is normally used to facilitate moving the helicopter in and out of the hangar. On the day of the accident, the small tractor that is normally connected to the cart was not attached and that the cart wheels were not secured. Upon a normal landing on the stationary cart, the cart began to move towards a hangar. The pilot was unable to re-establish rotor RPM in time to stop the movement of the cart, and the main rotor blades impacted the hangar. The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 700 hours in the same make and model. The hangar was substantially damaged.