Date: 201507
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Helicopter
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
Airspace: Class G ZZZ
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Rotorcraft; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Other / Unknown
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I planned to conduct a VFR Part 91 sightseeing flight with one passenger in a helicopter. The helicopter was rented. I had planned to conduct two off airport landings during the flight. The first offsite landing would be in the cul-de-sac of my passenger. She owns a home located within the cul-de-sac. In preparation for the landing; she notified several other homeowners in the cul-de-sac of our intended landing. She did not receive any objections or concerns from her neighbors. She and I also viewed her cul-de-sac on Google Earth in preparation for the landing. We also discussed that most of her neighbors would have already left for work so there would be limited traffic in the street. The second offsite landing would be at the north soccer fields of the [community center] property. We discussed allowing the summer camp participants to view the helicopter. I departed and headed south towards her neighborhood. We approached from the North and made several orbits above the intended landing zone to look for cars parked in the street and other potential obstructions. We observed no cars or pedestrians in the street. I observed a light wind from the south and decided that the safest landing would be to approach the cul-de-sac from the East. I set the helicopter up for about a 1.5 mile final approach to the cul-de-sac. On the final approach; I once again confirmed that there were no cars parked on the street. As I approached the cul-de-sac; I observed that the trees were larger than what I had studied on the Google Earth aerial picture so I decided to land at the corner; further to the East. I landed that helicopter and parked it with the nose pointed southwest so that vehicular traffic could still get by safely. After shutting the engine down; several neighborhood residents brought their children to the helicopter for pictures. No one I encountered voiced any objection to the landing. After about 15-20 minutes we decided to depart. In preparation for the departure; I asked my passengers husband to use his car to block the intersection. I intended to take off to the east and this was to ensure that no one would drive into my intended flight path. I also confirmed that that the street was clear of pedestrians and cars before the take off. I began the takeoff by bringing the helicopter into a hover and then executed a left pedal turn to point east. I started my takeoff but noticed I was having difficulty getting translational lift. About this time; I noticed the main rotor struck the top of a tree on the north side of the street. I noticed some leaves fly off the tree out of my peripheral vision. I immediately stabilized the helicopter in the middle of the street at avoid hitting any other obstacles. I glanced at my instruments and confirmed engine and rotor RPM were functioning normally. I also confirmed oil pressure; temp and fuel pressure were in the green range. After stabilizing the helicopter; I set it down in the middle of the street. The width of the street was 50 feet. The rotor diameter of the helicopter was 32 feet. Selecting a landing area with wider clearance may have prevented the blades coming into contact with the tree.




Synopsis: Helicopter pilot plans to land in a cul-de-sac in front of his passenger's home and checks the landing site on Google Earth prior to departure. Upon arrival the trees appear larger than expected and an alternate landing site; further east on the same street is selected. After 15 minutes a departure is attempted but the rotor makes contact with tree branches and the helicopter is set back down.