DEN86FA069

Factual narrative

THE HELICOPTER, EQUIPPED WITH LANDING SKID SNOW PADS, WAS PARKED ON A NARROW RAMP EXTENSION TO A ROOF TOP HELIPAD THAT WAS SURROUNDED BY A CONCRETE CURB. UPON TAKEOFF TO A HOVER, THE RIGHT SNOW PAD STRUCK AND BECAME MOMENTARTILY CAUGHT ON BOLTS PROTRUDING FROM THE TOP OF THE CURB LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HELICOPTER, RESULTING IN A RIGHT ROLLING ACTION OF THE HELICOPTER. THE LIFT FORCES BENT THE SNOW PAD, SUDDENLY DISENGAGING IT FROM THE BOLTS, AT WHICH TIME THE ACFT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TOWARD A BUILDING. AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL TO AVOID IMPACT WITH THE BUILDING, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE ROOF TOP AND ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL WAS LOST. THE ACFT SPUN TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IMPACT ON THE HELIPAD. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12