Accident Summary
A helicopter pilot reported an incident while flying approximately 200 feet above ground level over a lake. The pilot stated that he felt a push/cross wind, which he described as wind shear, and that it felt as if it were pushing him into the ground. He responded by lowering the collective and adding forward cyclic to increase forward airspeed. After selecting a landing site, the pilot attempted to control the descent but reported that nothing was working and the helicopter was going down fast. Just prior to landing, the pilot flared with collective full up to lighten the impact.
Damage
The tail boom was structurally damaged during the landing due to impact with a large rock adjacent to the landing site.
Pilot's Report
The pilot reported wind conditions of 20 knots gusting to 30 knots. He stated that he encountered a quartering head wind during his approach to the landing site. According to the pilot, gross weight limitations were not exceeded during the flight.
Manufacturer's Assessment
According to the helicopter manufacturer, the reported wind component encountered would not have exceeded the performance capability of the helicopter.