Accident Details
The accident occurred during a training flight when a student pilot was practicing hovering maneuvers. The student reported having been hovering for approximately 30 minutes at an altitude of about two feet above the ground. In contrast, the flight instructor estimated the hover height to be between three and five feet.
Sequence of Events
According to the student pilot's account, he was controlling the cyclic and possibly the collective, but not the pedals. The helicopter then began to exhibit a pendular motion, moving backward and to the right. This motion caused the right skid to contact the ground, which subsequently led to the tail striking the ground. The helicopter then rolled onto its side.
Damage
The helicopter sustained substantial damage, specifically to the tail rotor. No other damage or injuries were reported in the source.