Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper judgment of the helicopter’s height above ground during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing with forward airspeed and subsequent bounce and rollover.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during landing, he misjudged the helicopter’s height above the ground, started the flare to a hover “a little too late,” and the skids contacted the ground with forward speed. The helicopter landed hard, bounced, rolled over onto its right side and sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.