Flight Details
An instructor pilot and a student pilot departed on a training flight with the intention of practicing off airport landings. The instructor maneuvered the helicopter towards a plateau that featured cliffs on three of its sides, initiating a demonstration of a pinnacle landing.
Accident Sequence
During the approach, the instructor noticed the development of an excessive sink rate and a wind change. He attempted to correct with collective and throttle inputs. Shortly thereafter, he reached the stop on the throttle, and the rotor RPM began to decay. The instructor then lowered the collective, but the rotorcraft impacted the ground hard. It bounced back into the air approximately 10 to 12 feet before striking the ground a second time. During this second impact, the tail rotor contacted the ground. Subsequently, directional control was lost, and the rotorcraft rolled over the edge of the plateau, descending down a steeply sloped embankment.
Pilot Experience
The instructor pilot had logged only 3 hours of flight time within the previous 90 days, all of which were in the accident aircraft make and model.
Weather Information
A weather observation recorded at the Caldwell airport, located 11 nautical miles south of the accident site, reported winds from 110 degrees at 9 knots with gusts to 14 knots.
Mechanical Status
The instructor pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the rotorcraft during the flight.