What happened
A certificated commercial pilot was performing a northerly approach to a heliport located at 3,400 feet MSL on a mountaintop. As the pilot neared the intended landing site, he reduced approach airspeed while simultaneously increasing collective pitch. This maneuver caused the rotor RPM to decay.
Due to the loss of engine performance, the pilot was unable to reach the intended landing area and was forced to hover over and eventually touch down on uneven terrain approximately thirty feet short and downhill from the target site. The pilot attempted to recover the rotor RPM by applying throttle and lowering the collective pitch while keeping the skids on the uphill slope.
In an effort to reposition the aircraft, the pilot applied left pedal input and increased collective pitch. This action caused the left skid to impact the ground, resulting in a rollover of the helicopter. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its fuselage, tail boom, and rotor system. The pilot was not injured.
At the time of the accident, weather conditions featured clear skies and unlimited visibility. Winds were gusty from the southeast at 10 to 15 knots, with a temperature of approximately 70 degrees F.