The helicopter was destroyed by a post-crash fire after impacting the ground at approximately 1045 Central time following an attempted takeoff from a private field. The pilot received minor injuries and the one passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The helicopter owner had reportedly purchased the helicopter seven days prior to the accident. Additionally, the helicopter was previously owned by a flight school, and had been disassembled for shipment. The accident pilot reportedly bought the helicopter and a local mechanic reassembled it. Preliminary statements indicate the helicopters tail skid/rotor hit an embankment during takeoff and the helicopter rolled onto its side. Both the pilot and passenger were able to exit the helicopter with only minor injuries. However, the passenger then returned to the helicopter to retrieve a briefcase. The passenger was severely burned, and the helicopters airframe was largely consumed by the post-crash fire.
April 28, 2008, Bartlett, Texas, Robinson R44
The helicopter was destroyed by a post-crash fire after impacting the ground at approximately 1045 Central time following an attempted takeoff from a private field. The pilot received minor injuries and the one passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The helicopter owner had reportedly purchased the helicopter seven days prior to the accident. Additionally, the helicopter was previously owned by a flight school, and had been disassembled for shipment. The accident pilot reportedly bought the helicopter and a local mechanic reassembled it.
Key Takeaways:
- A helicopter was destroyed by a post-crash fire during an attempted takeoff after its tail skid/rotor hit an embankment, causing it to roll.
- The pilot received minor injuries, but the passenger sustained severe burns after returning to the burning wreckage to retrieve a briefcase.
- The helicopter had been recently purchased seven days prior to the accident, having been reassembled by a local mechanic after being disassembled for shipment.
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