Incident Details
A helicopter experienced a hard landing, during which a main rotor blade separated and struck a parked airplane. The pilot was conducting an approach to a landing pad in a northeasterly direction. According to the pilot, the approach was normal until the helicopter yawed to the right. The pilot then applied full left pedal and pulled collective in an attempt to correct the yaw.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that the engine was running fine and that he had experienced 'no unusual noise.' He also reported that he had 'run out of tail rotor' during the incident. The pilot's account indicates that the tail rotor authority was insufficient to maintain directional control.
Wind Conditions
At the time of the accident, the winds were from 190 to 250 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 23 knots. These wind conditions, combined with the helicopter's heading during the approach, placed the helicopter in a region where unanticipated right yaw might occur, as indicated by a review of a relative wind chart.
Relative Wind Analysis
A relative wind chart was reviewed, and it showed that the helicopter's heading during the approach to the pad placed it in an area of the chart where unanticipated right yaw might occur. This suggests the wind conditions may have contributed to the loss of tail rotor effectiveness, although the pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies.
Damage
The hard landing resulted in the main rotor blade separating from the helicopter. The separated blade then struck a parked airplane. The extent of damage to the helicopter and the parked airplane was not specified in the report.