Accident Overview
A helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power shortly after departing a local fairground with two paying passengers on board. The event occurred when the aircraft was approximately 300 feet above ground level. The pilot initiated a 180-degree autorotation to avoid overflying a populated area, but the available landing terrain was not level, contributing to a challenging touchdown.
Flight Details
The pilot had just taken off from a fairground with two paying passengers. No further information about the aircraft type, registration, or operator was provided in the source. The time of day and weather conditions were not specified.
Engine Failure
At an altitude of roughly 300 feet, the helicopter's engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot immediately began an autorotation maneuver, turning the aircraft 180 degrees to steer clear of the populated area below. The exact cause of the engine failure was not detailed in the source.
Autorotation and Landing
During the autorotation, the pilot identified a suitable landing area, but the terrain was not level. As the helicopter touched down on the slope, the rotor RPM decreased due to the difficulty of executing a controlled landing on uneven ground. This decay in rotor speed led to a loss of lift and control.
Outcome
The main rotor blades struck and severed the tailboom of the helicopter as a result of the decreased rotor RPM during the slope landing. The source did not specify any injuries to the pilot or passengers, nor did it mention the extent of damage beyond the tailboom separation.