Incident Overview
A helicopter engaged in a flight to track the main rotor system experienced a total loss of power during the initial climb. The departure was to the southeast, with winds from the west at 5 knots. At approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL) and an airspeed of about 35 knots, the engine lost all power.
Autorotation and Landing
The pilot initiated an autorotation to a grassy area abeam a runway. During the flare, the pilot did not maintain adequate rotor rpm. The helicopter subsequently landed hard, causing the skid gear to collapse and the tail boom to separate from the airframe.
Post-Incident Investigation
The engine was removed and test run at the manufacturer's facility, where no anomalies were noted. Additional tests on the engine's related systems were conducted but did not reveal the reason for the loss of power.