Incident Overview
A rotorcraft was destroyed during an engineering test flight aimed at completing Part 27 certification. The flight was part of a series to conduct a flight strain survey, with a specific test point involving cyclic control reversals.
Sequence of Events
The pilot set the parameters and executed the cyclic control inputs as planned. Almost simultaneously with an aft movement of the cyclic, a loud noise was heard, and immediate vibrations were felt throughout the aircraft and its controls. A pilot in a chase aircraft informed the test pilot that a main rotor blade had struck and severed the tail boom.
The pilot performed a power-off autorotation without the tail rotor system. The subsequent hard landing occurred onto a pile of dry brush. The hot engine exhaust ignited the brush, and the ensuing fire destroyed the aircraft.
Aftermath
The aircraft was completely destroyed by the brush fire. No occupant status or injuries are mentioned in the source.