NTSB Factual Report

On June 29, 2005, approximately 1210 mountain daylight time, an Enstrom 480B, N480EH, operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering west of Scofield Reservoir, Scofield, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local business flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger reported no injuries.

According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, he was conducting an "aerial photo shoot" near the Scofield Mountain Estates subdivision. The pilot stated that during a descent over one of the lots, he attempted to level off, but the helicopter continued to descend. The pilot attempted to increase his forward speed and arrest the descent, but the helicopter continued to descend. The pilot stated that he lowered the collective in an attempt to perform a "quick stop." The tail rotor impacted the ground and the helicopter "began to rotate." The pilot stated the helicopter bounced several times before coming to rest in a field with heavy sagebrush vegetation. During the impact, the left skid collapsed, and the tail rotor skid struck the ground, bending both tail rotor blades. The tail boom was bent to the right and forward, and the fuselage was wrinkled forward of the boom and along the right side of the helicopter. An examination of the helicopter's systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. Contributing factor's include the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.