NTSB Factual Report

On June 5, 2001, about 1630 central daylight time, an Enstrom F28A, N9565, registered to a private individual, rolled over while lifting off a trailer at the Double Springs-Winston County Airport, Double Springs, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence.

The pilot stated when interviewed the first time 2 days after the accident that the helicopter was on a trailer that had been in a hangar, but the trailer with helicopter onboard was removed from the hangar onto the ramp. He planned on lifting the helicopter off the trailer onto the ramp first, then intended on landing the helicopter onto a larger trailer. He stated that when he attempted to lift off from the smaller trailer, the rear portion of the left skid caught on the trailer and the helicopter rolled over. A copy of the record of conversation is an attachment to this report. He submitted a report to the NTSB stating that the purpose of the flight was to perform an engine run only following an annual inspection and there was no intention to fly the helicopter. He stated in the report that during the engine run, the helicopter "vibrated the skids off the trailer, falling on side damaging main and tail rotor blades." A copy of the NTSB report is an attachment to this report.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance between the skid and trailer while attempting to lift from a trailer resulting in dynamic roll-over.