flungdung, why is the hydraulic theory (as put forth by chutedragger) b.s.? I find it eminently plausible that the pilot forgot to put the hydraulics back on after straightening out the pedals on the last shutdown. Then, when he unlocked the collective on this startup the thing leapt into the air sans control boost. I'm not saying that's what happened but it certainly seems like it could have happened.
If that's what happened -if- then the pilot doesn't deserve the heaps of **** piled on him by some. Anyone who's ever made a major mistake at the controls (that should include almost everyone -it certainly includes me) should be able to relate to such a faux pas.
With Youtube and camera phones everywhere we can look forward to a steady stream of questionable airmanship caught on tape. If we're going to call for the head of every pilot involved we'll be out of pilots pretty soon.