Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the flight instructor, the commercial student was performing a hover autorotation from a skid height of one foot. The instructor wrote that yaw was minimal and the helicopter drifted slightly to the left. The helicopter touched down left skid first, then briefly hopped to the left. The student then taxied the helicopter to parking. A postflight examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage. The instructor reported no anomalies with any of the helicopter systems.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the written statement submitted by the flight instructor, the commercial student was performing a "hover autorotation from a skid height of one foot." The instructor wrote that yaw was minimal and the helicopter drifted slightly to the left. The helicopter "touched down "left skid first, then briefly hopped to the left. The student then taxied the helicopter to parking. A postflight examination of the helicopter revealed that the vertical frame tube was bowed and the bottom cross member was bent. The instructor reported no anomalies with any of the helicopter systems.