What happened
During a flight demonstration of a normal approach, the engine of the helicopter lost power while the aircraft was approximately 200 feet above ground level. At the time of the engine failure, the helicopter was traveling at an airspeed of less than 50 knots.
The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) initiated an autorotation procedure in response to the loss of power. However, due to the low airspeed and altitude, the aircraft experienced a high rate of descent upon touchdown, resulting in a hard landing.
The investigation
An FAA inspector interviewed the pilot regarding the circumstances of the engine failure. Following the accident, a post-accident engine test run was performed on the powerplant. This inspection revealed no mechanical anomalies.