Incident Overview
Approximately ten minutes after departing on a repositioning flight, the helicopter's engine suffered a total loss of power. The pilot initiated an autorotation and selected an open farm field as a landing site. The helicopter touched down on frozen muddy terrain, but as it slid forward, it impacted a ridge of frozen dirt. This impact caused the skids to collapse, which in turn led to the main rotor striking the tail boom. The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result.
Post-Incident Inspection
Following the accident, a thorough inspection of the helicopter was conducted. No anomalies were found in any of its systems, including the engine and airframe. Additionally, no contamination or water accumulation was detected in the fuel system. Despite these findings, the specific reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
Outcome
The helicopter remained at the accident site with substantial damage. The pilot's decision to autorotate to a suitable area allowed for a controlled descent, but the ground conditions and terrain features contributed to the subsequent structural damage. The investigation concluded without identifying a definitive cause for the engine failure.