Before the forced mandate for improved fuel cells in the r44 an impact such as this without an ensuing fire was rare. Survivors of such impacts rarer still.
In this case there are three fatalities and one survivor and we can reflect on continuing to improve the odds of occupant survivability in light aircraft, as best we can.
Absence of fire and a sole survivor does help a coroner determine the precise cause of death so over time I wonder if there is any more we can learn.
Having studied over 100 helicopter accidents I am aware that a spin from low altitude and impact without a subsequent fire, is often fatal even in an aircraft with a more elaborate impact absorbing seats such as an EC 130.
The investigation of the EC 130 accident in Rotterdam June 2010 is authoritative; from a 220ft hover the vertical impact speed was 31kph based on video of the accident.
There was one survivor.
I wonder if semi disposable flight helmets of a kind worn by skateboarders can play a role in walk up joy rides in GA?
I note middle airbags are now in use in between front seats of cars, presumably their introduction is based on data that head impacts made between passengers can and should be mitigated.
Maybe a cheap helmet can perform a similar role in GA?