What happened
On July 13, 2012, a Eurocopter Alouette II SE313B, registration N45VX, was performing a hover in Glenn, California. During the maneuver, the student pilot lost directional control, causing the helicopter to spin to the left for approximately 3.5 turns. The aircraft subsequently rolled over after the right skid collapsed.
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 25 statute miles and winds from 130 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot reported experiencing a tailwind of approximately 5 knots during the event. There were no injuries resulting from the accident.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft and found substantial damage to the main gearbox frame and the tail boom. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions present in the helicopter prior to the impact.