What happened
The incident occurred while the pilot was conducting a demonstration of an autorotation maneuver intended to result in a run-on landing. As the helicopter touched down on the grass surface, the skids dragged through the soft turf. Immediately following touchdown, the aircraft began to veer toward the left side.
During this phase of the landing, the pilot failed to maintain proper control of the aircraft. The loss of directional control caused the right skid to dig deeper into the ground. This digging action induced a roll to the left, ultimately resulting in the helicopter rolling over onto its side.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanics of the landing and the pilot's reaction to the surface conditions. Examination of the event revealed that the soft grass contributed to the skids dragging upon initial contact. The subsequent veering was directly linked to the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control during the critical touchdown phase.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the accident were the failure to maintain aircraft control and the resulting rollover. The sequence of events indicates that the combination of a run-on landing on soft terrain and inadequate corrective action led to the right skid digging into the turf, causing the loss of stability.