Incident Overview
A helicopter pilot encountered an engine out warning and low RPM caution during cruise climb, prompting a precautionary landing on a flower farm. The landing was hard on the rear portion of the skids, resulting in the main rotors severing the tail boom and rotor system.
Flight Details
The helicopter was in cruise climb at 2,600 feet, approximately 300–400 feet above a waterfall in mountainous terrain. The engine out warning horn and light activated simultaneously. The pilot decided to land on a flower farm located downhill. During the descent, the pilot made a series of power changes, which revealed a deterioration in available power.
Landing and Damage
The helicopter touched down hard on the rear portion of its skids. The impact caused the main rotors to contact and sever the tail boom and rotor system. No injuries were reported in the source, and the extent of damage beyond the severed tail boom is not specified.