Accident Summary
A helicopter carrying a pilot-in-command and a passenger who was learning to fly was destroyed in an accident during a local area flight that included practice landings and possibly autorotations. The passenger survived the crash.
Sequence of Events
The first circuit around the airport's traffic pattern was uneventful. While on short final approach for another landing, engine power suddenly decreased. The passenger reported observing that the engine and rotor tachometer indicator needles became split and were 'out of range' for normal operations. The helicopter's rate of descent increased, and it touched down hard on the runway. After touchdown, the helicopter bounced, rolled over, and burned.
Post-Accident Inspection
No mechanical malfunctions were found during the examination of the wreckage. Additionally, no evidence was found indicating that the pilot had flown a helicopter during the preceding 15 months.