20191003018719A

Aircraft N911RW operated by the polk county Florida sheriff office responded to a report of a downed aircraft. The downed aircraft was in a remote mining location in central Florida. The ground in the area consists of gypsum mud with an estimated depth of 50 to 60 feet. The downed aircraft was a gyro which had conducted an emergency landing into the area. When the sheriff helicopter arrived at the scene, the pilot of the gyro was standing on the seat of the aircraft to avoid sinking into the mud. The sheriff deputy realized the immediate danger the pilot was in and attempted to rescue the other pilot by allowing him to hold onto the skid while he hovered to firm ground. After a few failed attempts to hang onto the skid, the gyro pilot jumped onto the skid of the hovering helicopter. The sudden added weight caused a shift in center of gravity which lead to a loss of aircraft control. The helicopter experienced dynamic rollover and came to rest in the gypsum mud. Damage included a separated tailboom, and extensive damage to the main rotor system, engine, and transmission. The sheriff deputy was uninjured in the crash sequence, as was the gyro pilot. The two pilots were unable to exit the gypsum mud, and were eventually rescued by a coast guard helicopter with a rescue hoist.