N401HPBell 206B · 1981

The pilot reported that he departed in the helicopter, directly into the wind, and began a climb and turn to the downwind. During the turn, the helicopter encountered a wind gust and lost altitude as if it were settling. The pilot tried to maneuver the helicopter back to the airport property to land, however, the landing skids caught a fence. The helicopter nosed over and came to rest on its left side substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

A weather station at the airport reported the wind from 180° at 25 kts with gusts to 36 kts.