Hughes 269A, Bremen, Ohio, Aug. 23, 2008–The pilot said that the helicopter’s main rotor rpm was too low as he flared for landing, when practicing a quick-stop maneuver.

The helicopter landed hard, bounced off the right side of the runway, and rolled over in a drainage ditch. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient main rotor speed during the maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the drainage ditch.

The pilot’s last FAA medical examination and flight review were completed in 2001 and 1999, respectively.