Robinson R44 II crash near Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, Ireland

On lift off from a concrete surface, the helicopter yawed abruptly to the left. This surprised the Pilot who, failing to control the yaw, immediately elected to land on again. During this landing the tail struck the ground, and the tail-rotor assembly and empennage separated from the tail-boom. On landing, the helicopter remained upright and the Pilot shut down the engine and exited safely.