What happened
During a sightseeing flight with one passenger, the pilot experienced a sudden power fluctuation in the engine approximately 100 feet above the ground. This fluctuation was immediately followed by a total loss of engine power.
In an attempt to manage the emergency, the pilot tried to regain engine power; however, the loss of power necessitated an autorotation to a landing. During the landing sequence, the helicopter struck the ground and rolled over. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the occupants were not injured.
The investigation
Investigators found that there was sufficient fuel on board the helicopter to support continued engine operation. A detailed examination of both the airframe and the engine was conducted, along with functional testing. This examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction prior to the impact, and the engine performed normally during subsequent functional tests.
Findings
While investigators noted that the inadvertent selection of the cyclic governor switch to the off position could negatively affect engine performance during takeoff, as well as the possibility of an improper adjustment of the RPM selector dial, there was no conclusive evidence to prove these specific conditions contributed to the accident.