Loose Nut
No offence taken whatsoever. Just my view, that's all. I too am glad the pilot is ok but it looks like it may have been his fault.
Flying Lawyer, you are quite right, the Gazell is not a very complicated type but nevertheless has some handling quirks which can be beyond pilots to catch in time, experienced or not.
This pilot was properly licensed to fly the Gazelle. Therefore, any of you could legally have been with him or could have had your nearest and dearest with him. I question whether any of you would have put your family members in this helicopter with this pilot, knowing and being educated to the fact that the Gazelle, in certain phases, can bite hard.
It is obvious that this aircraft was bought as a toy. I wouldn't put my family in a high performance toy which has an inflated accident record in the hands of those who have insufficient experience.
Its like a 17 year old with a Porsche Turbo versus that same 17 year old in a Focus. Which one are you going to put your kids in?
Brother