The helicopter was damaged when it impacted terrain during an attempted forced landing following a complete loss of engine power. The helicopter had just taken off and was at 50 feet altitude and 45 miles per hour when the pilot heard two loud "bangs" followed by a complete loss of power. The pilot stated that he performed an autorotation to a flat area near the airport. He stated that as he "approached touchdown [he] raised collective to cushion the impact but with so little altitude an autorotation gave very little rotor speed." He stated that the helicopter struck the ground in a level attitude while moving forward, the skids collapsed and the helicopter broke apart. No defects were found with respect to the helicopter's engine.
I would have thought 45 knots was outside the avoid curve for most single engine aircraft...but at 50 feet you have to be quick on the collective.
Why is it that aircraft crashes on video are almost always obscured by trees, other aircraft, crowds or hills?
Were the pops compressor stall? Or was it a case of engine missing...engine found?
