LAX84LA366

Factual narrative

ACCORDING TO A PLT/OPERATOR STATEMENT, THE STUDENT PLT WAS CLEARED FOR A DOWNWIND APCH TO LAND ON 'PAD 3.' THE STUDENT STATED THAT THE APCH WAS NORMAL UNTIL HE SLOWED TO 40 MPH & 'MADE LEFT TURN TO FINAL APPROACH INTO A CROSS WIND.' DURING THE TURN TO FINAL APCH, THE STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH ATC TO REQUEST A TURN INTO THE WIND. DURING THE DISCUSSION, THE STUDENT BECAME DISTRACTED. HE ALLOW THE AIRSPEED TO DECAY & THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SETTLING WITH POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE & THE TAIL ROTOR SEPARATED. THE HELICOPTER THEN BEGAN TO ROTATE & THE GEAR (SKID) SEPARATED. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12