While the cockpit is Kevlar, the cabin and tailboom are metal. So it should be repairable as long as it hasn't turned into a banana and bent too much.

They certainly seem to but would seem to indicate the aircraft's problems started with the wheels on the ground and pointing the other way from where they came to rest.

That was my first thought.
I am trying to visualize the meaning of the gaps/changes in direction. Perhaps an attempt to lift/correct but then dragged by the USL still attached?

If they landed on to hook the load but forgot to re-engage the AP before lifting, it could surprise an unwary crew into believing they had a control problem - cue some panicked overcontrolling and lots of shouting and then it all goes horribly wrong.

Just a scenario I have seen before but without the crashing part:ok:

Tail Rotor drive failure?

There are multiple impact marks from the main rotor under drive but the tail rotor scrape is only 1/4 rev.

There is, however, the possibility that the main rotor held the fuselage off the ground as it rapidly reduced in size. Something I know from personal experience.

I think Heli1 would love to get his hands on it and try a re-build for his museum!
Combine transport with the Wessex logger from NZ!

Cheers SLB

Crassic case of RTE**




***Ross of Tair Lotor Effectiveness, arigato gozaimasu.

Or すべて日本語に翻訳 for short.