The prototype of the U.S. Army's Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) built by Bell Helicopter Textron made a forced landing on the afternoon of Feb. 21 on a golf course in Mansfield, Tex. The ARH was making its first flight when the pilots reported power failure and initiated an autorotation to landing. On descent the aircraft clipped some trees and struck the ground hard, breaking off the tail boom and tail rotor. The fuselage rolled over, breaking the main rotor blades.

There was no fire and no serious injuries to either the Bell pilot or the U.S. Army pilot, according to a Bell official. He says after the FAA examines the helicopter, it will be transported back to Bell's XworX facility at Arlington Municipal Airport for further investigation to determine why the power failed.