May 26, 2010
Accident
Substantial Boxborough, MA
Injuries1 fatal, 1 serious
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 091
Probable Cause
The FAA inspector's rapid reduction of power which resulted in a loss of engine power and his decision to initiate a turn during the autorotation without sufficient altitude to clear obstacles. Contributing to the accident was the FAA’s lack of comprehensive currency requirements in the make and model helicopter and the inspector's specific limited recent flight experience related to this make and model helicopter.
NTSB ERA10FA283