What happened
A student pilot, who had accumulated 36 flying hours in this specific make and model helicopter over the previous five months, departed for a practice flight approximately 20 minutes before the accident occurred.
Immediately before the collision with the ground, a witness on the ground observed the aircraft maneuvering from side to side at a low altitude. This witness also reported hearing a popping or sputtering noise coming from the helicopter prior to the impact. The helicopter struck the ground in a nose high, tail low attitude. While the impact occurred, the front section of the skids remained undamaged.
The investigation
Following the accident, an examination of the engine was conducted. This inspection did not reveal any evidence of a malfunction or failure occurring prior to the impact.