Robinson R44 crash near Ireland

A privately owned Robinson R44 helicopter was on a local flight with two persons on board. On returning to its landing site, as the pilot attempted to bring the helicopter into a hover just above the site, it dropped suddenly, struck the ground, bounced back into the air, rolled left and yawed rapidly to the right. The two occupants were not injured but the helicopter was substantially damaged. There was no fire. The wind conditions at the time were blustery and changeable and heavy rain commenced almost immediately after the accident.