R22 piloted by a student on a solo flight from Kelowna (CYLW) to Salmon Arm (CZAM) crashed beside the runway at CZAM. The pilot first approached the airport and crossed mid-field to assess the wind direction; however, it was determined that the aircraft was not into wind. On the second approach from the opposite direction, at about 30 feet above ground elevation, the helicopter was observed to rotate right about three revolutions before falling rapidly, and impacting the ground with little forward momentum. The left main landing skid gear fractured forward of the forward cross-tube and the R22B came to rest after rolling to the left. The pilot was uninjured but the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported losing tail rotor authority just before the helicopter yawed right. The main rotor blades showed damage consistent with low rpm. CADORS 2015P0662
