Incident Summary
While practicing quick stops and steep approaches, a helicopter pilot flared the aircraft too hard and too low. This resulted in the tail skid striking the runway, leading to a hard landing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Damage
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer as a result of the hard landing. No other damage was mentioned in the report.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that the accident occurred during training maneuvers. The helicopter was being used for practice of quick stops and steep approaches when the flare was executed with excessive force and at an insufficient altitude, causing the tail skid contact. The pilot further confirmed that there were no mechanical issues with the helicopter prior to the event.