Accident Overview
A student pilot involved in a helicopter accident reported that the aircraft had been recently purchased. The pilot had accumulated a total flight time of 41 hours in all aircraft, with 4 hours in this make and model.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot was practicing hovering and hovering turns. The wind was described as a sporadic north wind. During a turn to the south, the pilot reported that a gust of wind spun the helicopter to the east, consistent with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Impact and Damage
As a result of the loss of control, the right skid contacted the surface, causing the helicopter to tip onto its right side. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter at the time of the accident.
Pilot Experience
The pilot held a student pilot certificate and had limited experience in the accident helicopter make and model, with only four hours of flight time in it.