Incident Overview
A pilot reported flying a helicopter at an altitude of 75 to 100 feet above ground level (AGL) due to snowy conditions. During the flight, a loud bang was heard, followed immediately by the illumination of the engine out warning light and the activation of the engine out audio alert. The pilot then maneuvered the helicopter toward a suitable landing area.
Landing and Skid Failure
While approaching the landing area, the helicopter encountered a gust of wind. The right skid contacted the ground and was dug in, causing it to break off. Subsequently, the left skid also broke off. The helicopter came to rest without the skids.
Engine Examination
The engine was removed and sent to the manufacturer's facility for examination and a test run. The test run revealed no issues that would suggest a failure or malfunction of the engine. No anomalies were found that could explain the loud bang or the engine out indications.
Conclusion
The incident involved an unexpected loud bang and engine warning indications, leading to an emergency landing during which both skids detached due to wind conditions. The engine was later determined to be fully functional.