DFW07LA171 · Bell 206L-1

The commercial pilot reported that he noted that the wind sock atop the hospital was limp prior to starting the engine. He added that the helicopter was parked on a westerly heading when the patient was loaded aboard the helicopter. The pilot added that he brought the helicopter to a hover, prior to executing a right hovering turn to the right for his planned departure in a northerly heading. The pilot further stated that he initiated a vertical takeoff on a northerly heading to clear the obstacles. The pilot added that "after reaching an altitude that allowed the rotor system to be slightly above the trees, the aircraft began a slow turn to the right." The pilot countered with left anti-torque pedal and the torque increased to 101 percent and he "backed-out on the amount of left pedal input." The pilot then attempted to "nurse the aircraft" at the 100 percent torque indication to avoid an engine over-torque condition. The pilot then lowered the collective as he attempted to remain over the helipad and land. The pilot added that the rate of turn to the right decreased some, but was not totally arrested. The helicopter landed hard while on a left yaw on a grassy area approximately 20-feet short of the helipad. The landing gear collapsed and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The investigation revealed that the helicopter was within weight and balance limits at the time of the mishap. The helicopter was recovered to a secured location for further investigation. The 3,884-hour helicopter pilot reported having accumulated 83 hours in the last 90-days and 21.3 hours within the last 30-days. The pilot reported that he was familiar with the mission and had operated from the same heliport on previous occasions. Flight and engine control continuity was established. No mechanical discrepancies were found with the helicopter or the powerplant.

Verbatim NTSB analysis and probable cause from the NTSB dataset