Circumstances:
The pilot had been operating into the landing area for approximately two weeks during which time there had been little wind. On the day of the accident there was a strong wind blowing. The aircraft was close to all up weight, and the density altitude was about 3500 feet when the pilot attempted to make a downwind approach to the landing area. The aircraft collided with the ground at approximately 40 knots, the impact causing the skids to be torn off. The helicopter continued to fly after the impact, so the pilot returned to his base camp about five kilometres away and hovered the aircraft whilst the passengers disembarked. He then landed the helicopter on a specially prepared pad.
