Leonardo AW109SP GrandNew crash near London Heliport (Battersea), United Kingdom

The pilot was starting the helicopter in order to depart from the heliport before it closed. Having completed his checks and been given permission to start, the pilot started the No 1 engine. He was alerted by the marshaller and by ATC that smoke was coming from the rotor head. He shut down the engine and, whilst completing the checks, noticed that the rotor brake was on. AW109SP GrandNew, G-FRRN 03-19