N6960

On July 13, 2024, about 1035 mountain daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R-44 II, N6960, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Herriman, Utah. The instructor and student pilot were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 141 instructional flight.

The flight instructor reported that he and his student departed from a nearby airport to perform simulated engine out autorotation maneuvers at a practice area a few miles to the southwest. While enroute to the practice area, the instructor discussed the maneuver before the student pilot took control of the helicopter and entered a simulated autorotation. With the student on the controls, the instructor lowered the collective, applied aft cyclic, right pedal, and rolled off the throttle to idle.

As the instructor scanned the instrument gauges, he saw that the engine oil warning light, auxiliary fuel pump caution light, and alternator caution light were illuminated. The instructor rolled the throttle control to increase engine power and realized the engine had lost power. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and initiated a landing to an open area. The flight instructor stated that as the helicopter settled to the ground, it touched down hard with minimal forward airspeed in a skids level attitude before it came to an abrupt stop. Subsequently, the main rotor blades struck the tail boom, and the tail rotor assembly separated.

The helicopter was recovered to a secure location for further examination.