Primary finding
Probable cause
A loss of engine power that resulted in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that while hover taxiing the helicopter back to his hangar after a short practice flight, the experimental engine lost power, and he was unable to maintain altitude. Due to the low altitude and the rapid loss of power, the pilot was not able to autorotate, and the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled onto its right side. The fuselage and tail boom sustained substantial damage. Subsequent test runs of the helicopter’s experimental engine did not reveal a reason for the power loss that occurred.