Accident Details
According to the pilot's report, the helicopter was on a photography flight at an altitude of approximately 70 feet above ground level (AGL). The helicopter's heading was 190°, and its airspeed was less than 9 knots. At the time, there was a 14-knot tailwind from the north.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the helicopter began to settle with power under these conditions. In response, he increased collective pitch and applied forward cyclic to increase airspeed. However, the helicopter continued to descend and impacted the ground.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor system and the fuselage of the helicopter.
Mechanical Status
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Reference to Helicopter Flying Handbook
The Helicopter Flying Handbook, Chapter 11, page 11-10, describes the recovery from a settling with power condition. It notes that when attempting to recover, pilots often first increase collective pitch, but this action typically increases the stalled area of the rotor and the rate of descent. The handbook states that recovery is achieved by increasing airspeed and/or partially lowering collective pitch. In many helicopters, lateral cyclic combined with lateral tailrotor thrust can produce the quickest exit from the hazard, provided there are no barriers in that direction. In a fully developed vortex ring state, the only recovery may be to enter autorotation to break the vortex ring.