LAX02LA284

The helicopter sustained substantial damage during a hard landing and rollover after performing a practice autorotation. Due to excessive forward airspeed, the pilot aborted the maneuver. The application of the collective did not stop the descent. He committed to a full down autorotation and flared about 50 feet above ground level. As the helicopter contacted the ground, it pivoted on its right skid, and came to rest on its right side. Wind conditions were not checked prior to entering the autorotation, and he subsequently determined that he attempted it with a tailwind.

On September 13, 2002, at 0810 mountain standard time, a Siemens Rotorway Executive 162F helicopter, N104BJ, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing and rollover after performing a practice autorotation at the Mogollon Airport (PVT), Overgaard, Arizona. The private pilot/owner operated the experimental helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The local area personal flight originated from the Mogollon airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported practicing an autorotation. Due to excessive forward airspeed, he elected to abort the maneuver. The application of the collective did not stop the descent. He committed to a full down autorotation and flared about 50 feet above ground level (agl). As the helicopter contacted the ground, it pivoted on its right skid, and came to rest on its right side. Wind conditions were not checked prior to entering the autorotation, and he subsequently determined that he attempted it with a tailwind.