Incident Details
According to the flight instructor, a student pilot was hover taxiing a helicopter along a taxiway parallel to runway 10. The student pilot was asked by the instructor to stop and execute a left 90-degree pedal turn. At the time, the wind was from 230 degrees at 8 knots.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot initiated the pedal turn. As the helicopter reached the 90-degree position, it began to spin to the left, and the rotation speed increased. The flight instructor announced that she had control of the helicopter, but the spin could not be stopped. The instructor reported that the spin became "very fast and I wasn't sure which way we were spinning." She then reduced the throttle, but the spin accelerated. She quickly lowered the collective to bring the helicopter to the ground.
Damage Assessment
The helicopter landed hard. The left landing gear impacted the engine exhaust. The tail rotor blades struck the ground and were sheared off. The tail boom separated near the transmission.
No Mechanical Anomalies
No preaccident mechanical anomalies were noted with the helicopter.