Accident Overview
A helicopter accident occurred while the pilot was maneuvering to the fuel pumps at an airport. The pilot executed a high approach due to other aircraft traffic. When the helicopter reached approximately 50 feet above the ground, the pilot encountered a condition described as "settling with power." The pilot was unable to arrest the descent, and the helicopter struck the ground.
Sequence of Events
After the initial impact, the helicopter bounced and became airborne again. During this secondary airborne phase, the tail boom and tail rotor separated, causing the helicopter to spin. The helicopter then struck a hangar before impacting the ground a second time.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter.
Maintenance History
The helicopter had accumulated approximately 16 hours since a complete rebuild and less than one hour since its annual inspection.