Accident Overview
During a local flight following maintenance, the pilot of a helicopter reported that the engine experienced a loss of power. In response, the pilot initiated an autorotation to an open field. Upon touchdown, the helicopter landed hard and subsequently rolled onto its right side.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage at the accident site revealed evidence of a low main rotor RPM at the time of the collision. This indicates that rotor speed was insufficient during the landing.
Engine and Control System Inspection
A post-crash inspection of the engine found no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction. Additionally, the pilot reported that the cyclic control was "tough to control" during the incident. However, examination of the control system did not reveal any abnormalities or malfunctions.
Conclusion
The accident sequence consisted of an in-flight loss of engine power, followed by an autorotation that resulted in a hard landing and rollover. The low rotor RPM at impact and the pilot's report of stiff cyclic control were noted, but no mechanical issues were identified in the subsequent inspections.
Note
No details regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, date, location, or occupants were provided in the source material.