Following a signal from the cabin attendant that all was ready
for take-off, the pilot applied power and lifted the helicopter
Into hover. After a momentary check of power and trim the pilot
began to move the aircraft forward along the line of the taxlway
towards the runway. At a height of less than 10 feet and with a
forward speed of some 5 knots the aircraft engine coughed and lost
power. The pilot noticed a drop and fluctuation In engine fuel
pressure and the fuel booster pump low pressure warning light
Illuminated. He reduced power and landed and as the aircraft
touched and rolled forward, ground resonance commenced. The pilot
endeavoured to lift the helicopter back Into the air In order to
terminate the ground resonance, but this was- unsuccessful owing to
the lack of engine power. The severe rocking motion, as ground
resonance developed, bounced the aircraft to the left and the pilot
then applied the rotor brake. The main rotor blades struck the
ground, the undercarriage failed and the helicopter came to rest
having rotated more than 180 degrees from Its original heading. The
pilot carried out an engine shut down check and he vacated the
aircraft through the right hand cockpit window. All the other
occupants vacated the aircraft through the main cabin door under
the direction of the cabin attendant. Fuel was seen to be pouring
from the lower forward section of the fuselage and this Ignited
whilst the passengers were still evacuating the cabin, forcing the
last persons out to leap through the flames.
