July 12, 1993, Talladega, AL the helicopter pilot had attained 9 hours of flight time in this make & model of aircraft. He was attempting a downwind landing in a confined area of the Talladega Super Speedway, although open & unconfined areas were located nearby. The site was 168 feet long & 105 feet wide, and was surrounded on all sides by tall fences & power lines. Witnesses stated that just before touchdown in the confined area, the helicopter began to oscillate from side to side. The helicopter then ascended to a height of about 25 feet, then it began to spin in a counterclockwise direction.

The right front seat passenger recalled bracing his hands on the console & door of the Helicopter during the event; however, he did not recall the position of his feet during the event. Examination of the aircraft did not reveal any pre-impact malfunction of the tail rotor system. Metallurgical exam of fractures on the collective stick, collective stick housing, collective push-pull rod & rod end from the rotor head revealed no evidence of progressive cracking (before impact). Probable cause: The pilot's poor in-flight decision to land downwind in a confined area that was surrounded by high obstructions, and his failure to properly compensate for the tailwind condition. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's lack of total Experience in the type of aircraft. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious.