Stepped Out and Left the Engine Running

[pelmet]

Risky.....

C-GWHO, a Gogal Air Services Ltd. Bell 206LR, was conducting a flight from Norway House
Airport (CYNE), MB, to a remote location 22 nautical miles WNW of CYNE. Upon landing in an
open dry swamp, the pilot let 3 passengers out. The passengers then walked approximately 150
meters from the helicopter. When the pilot checked that the doors were closed before liftoff, he
noticed that the passengers had left one of their shovels behind. The pilot tried to signal them to
come back to the helicopter but was unable to get their attention. The pilot then got out of the
helicopter while the engine was still running to try and signal them more effectively while standing
on the skid. He then slipped off the skid, and the helicopter began to tilt backward and rolled over
onto its side. There were no injuries, and the helicopter was substantially damaged.


....from TSB.