NTSB Factual Report

On October 13, 2017, about 1015 Pacific daylight time, a Williams Helicopter Corp UH-1H rotorcraft, N247PV, experienced a mechanical issue while repositioning the helicopter onto a cart at a private airstrip in Arbuckle, California. The pilot, sole occupant, was uninjured and the helicopter sustained substantial damaged throughout. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the private airstrip about 1012.

The pilot reported that the helicopter had just come from maintenance and he was repositioning it to a nearby cart. While the helicopter was hovering over the cart, the collective started to surge up and down. The pilot attempted to land the helicopter, however, the collective "fell through," and the helicopter impacted the cart hard and bounced. The pilot stabilized a hover and he attempted to land a second time; however, the helicopter impacted hard, bounced, and the right skid went over the edge of the cart. The helicopter rolled onto its right side and impacted the ground below.

The helicopter has been recovered for further examination.