Incident Details
The pilot of the helicopter was conducting a hover taxi in the ramp area in preparation for departure. While taxiing, the pilot was monitoring another helicopter that had just departed. After that helicopter departed, the pilot looked inside the cockpit to switch a radio frequency. When the pilot looked back outside, he observed the nose of a large airplane taxiing from behind another parked airplane to his left.
Pilot Actions
In response to the sight of the approaching airplane, the pilot abruptly applied aft cyclic to stop the helicopter's forward momentum. This action caused the Fenestron (the helicopter's tail rotor assembly) to strike the ramp surface.
Damage
The Fenestron sustained substantial damage as a result of striking the ramp. The pilot was able to return the helicopter to the ramp area without further incident.
Mechanical Condition
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.