Incident Overview
A helicopter sustained substantial damage to its rear vertical stabilizer during a hover maneuver near a landing pad. According to the pilot, the accident occurred while the helicopter was in a hover and backing off from the landing pad. During this maneuver, the vertical stabilizer impacted rising terrain.
Pilot Actions
Despite the impact, the pilot was able to regain control and land the helicopter back on the landing pad, which was located approximately 30 feet away. The pilot reported that there were no further incidents following the landing.
Post-Examination Findings
A post-accident examination of the helicopter revealed that the rear vertical stabilizer had received substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Context
The report does not specify the helicopter type, registration, operator, location, or date of the incident. No information is provided regarding occupants, injuries, or environmental conditions such as time of day or weather. The cause of the accident is not stated in the source.