Accident Overview
A student pilot was conducting a solo flight when the accident occurred during an aerial taxi maneuver. The pilot reported that after completing a normal landing, he applied collective pitch to make the helicopter light on the skids and then began taxiing along the ground by advancing the cyclic control.
Sequence of Events
During the taxi, the aircraft suddenly pitched forward and to the right. The rotor blades subsequently struck the ground, resulting in the helicopter breaking apart.
Post-Accident Inspection
An examination of the wreckage revealed that approximately 3 feet of the right skid had been broken off. No pre-existing irregularities were observed that would have contributed to the accident.