20050915028029A

(-23) Aircraft was initially resting atop of two 3 foot by 10 foot wooden pads constructed from 5 each 2X8S. The aircraft was facing toward the west with a parked horse trailer directly in front of it, approx 40 feet away, and a dense tree line to the south 45 to 50 feet away. While attempting a take-off from these pads on a slight sloope of 3-6 inches, with the left skid being higher than the right, the pilot applied left cyclic input. As the aircraft lifted off the ground, the aircraft, as the pilot described it, "got light on right side." He further stated that this began an oscillation of the rotor head. The pilot overcorrected to the right. Because of the proximity of the horse trailer, and to gain forward airspeed, the pilot turned the aircraft to the left toward the tree line, attempting to turn 180 degrees to face east. The main rotor struck a tree approximately 15 feet above ground level, fell straight down to the ground, and rolled to the right. The aircraft came to rest in a semi-inverted attitude, and caught on fire. The pilot freed himself from the harnesses, and exited the aircraft thru the left side door opening. The pilot sustained minor injuries to his chest and back consisting of bruises and abrasions.