Incident Overview
During an instructional flight, a helicopter was engaged in takeoff procedures with wind conditions reported as variable at 2 to 3 knots. While the student pilot was hovering the helicopter at approximately 3 feet above ground level (AGL), a sudden gust of wind caused the helicopter to wobble. The flight instructor took control of the aircraft, but another wind gust turned the helicopter downwind.
Attempted Landing and Rollover
The instructor attempted to land the helicopter. However, the wind continued to drive the helicopter forward with an excessive nose-low attitude. With the tail rotor positioned into the wind, creating a high power demand and limited tail rotor authority, the helicopter skipped along the dirt surface 2 or 3 times. Subsequently, the right strut failed, and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side.
Wind Conditions
The flight instructor reported that the wind was gusting to 60 knots at the accident site. In contrast, the reported wind at a location 8 miles south of the accident site was 260 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 25 knots.
Aircraft Damage
The helicopter sustained damage to the right strut and rolled onto its right side. No further details on damage were provided.