What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
During an external start procedure of N22ZA with a ground power unit (gpu) the pilot failed to disconnect the ground power unit and attempted to takeoff into forward hover flight while still connected to the gpu. The helicopter came to a sudden stop the pilot attempted to control the helicopter but landed hard causing substantial damage to the aircraft. No injuries were reported. The pilot was the soul occupant.
As the FAA filed it
DURING AN EXTERNAL START PROCEDURE OF N22ZA WITH A GROUND POWER UNIT (GPU) THE PILOT FAILED TO DISCONNECT THE GROUND POWER UNIT AND ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF INTO FORWARD HOVER FLIGHT WHILE STILL CONNECTED TO THE GPU. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE HELICOPTER BUT LANDED HARD CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE PILOT WAS THE SOUL OCCUPANT.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.