What happened
The helicopter departed from a private golf course situated in mountainous terrain. The takeoff elevation was at the upper limit of the aircraft's capability to maintain a hover in ground effect. Following departure, the pilot executed a climbing turn toward the northeast.
While flying at approximately 300 feet and speeds between 40-45 mph, the tail pitched up, rotor RPM decayed, and the aircraft began losing altitude. The pilot reported that the helicopter underwent a clockwise rotation about its vertical axis. At the time of the event, the wind was from the west at approximately three to six knots.
In response to the loss of control, the pilot initiated an autorotation. During a 180-degree turn back toward the west, the aircraft flew over trees, which resulted in contact with the tail rotor. After turning back into the wind, the pilot regained directional control, but the helicopter performed a hard landing on the golf course. There were no injuries reported.
The investigation
Manufacturer personnel reviewed the circumstances of the accident and noted that the event was consistent with previous accidents involving a loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). Investigators consulted the aircraft owner's manual, though no specific information was provided regarding the exact conditions conducive to LTE in this instance.