Sep 4, 2011
Accident
Substantial Tehachapi, CA
Injuries1 minor
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 133
Probable Cause
The pilot's inability to adequately execute an emergency autorotation due to the flight's low altitude during external load operations, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was a torsionally overstressed tachometer shaft, which sent erroneous engine rpm readings to the cockpit.
NTSB WPR11GA431