On September 1, 1999, about 1022 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 269C, N58397, was substantially damaged while maneuvering at the Oneida County Airport, (UCA) Utica, New York. The certificated student pilot (SP) was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed a private heliport, in Oriskany, New York. The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said he was performing ground proximity maneuvers which included two uneventful "quick stops." He further stated: "...The third quick stop was on a heading of approximately 090 [degrees] into the wind of around 5 knots. I apparently lowered the collective too much with no forward motion. I did not stop the settling and made a hard landing on the rear of the skids..." The helicopter's tail rotor contacted the taxiway and the aft portion of the helicopter's landing skid was pushed outward. Examination of the helicopter by the FAA Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot reported 20.6 hours of total flight experience in helicopters, all in the accident helicopter's make and model.