Incident Overview
During a helicopter instructional flight, the pilot attempted a straight-in touchdown autorotation. According to the pilot, witnesses observed the tail boom come up into the tip path plane of the main rotor.
Sequence of Events
The pilot explained that the event typically occurs when the helicopter touches down on the heel of the skids while the main rotor is still pitched aft due to cyclic input during the landing flare. As the helicopter rocks forward after a hard landing on the skid heel, the displaced main rotor severs the tail boom. Following the tail boom separation, the helicopter rotated approximately 120 degrees to the left.
The accident involved a training flight with no further details provided regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, location, or occupant injuries.