Robinson R66, N38SL: Accident occurred June 07, 2016 in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas

http://registry.faa.gov/N38SL

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA290
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, June 07, 2016 in Beaumont, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/03/2016
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66, registration: N38SL
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The owner of the helicopter, who did not hold a pilot certificate, reported that he followed the manufacture checklist and started the helicopter as he awaited the arrival of his pilot. He further reported that as the main rotor reached "idle speed" the helicopter spun to the right and rolled over, which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor drive shaft and tail boom. The owner's pilot did not witness the accident and did not authorize the owner's actions.

The owner did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The non-pilot owner's decision to start the helicopter while awaiting the pilot's arrival, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a rollover.