Accident Details
A biennial flight review (BFR) was in progress for the pilot occupying the left seat. The flight instructor (CFI), seated in the right seat, reported that several practice autorotations were performed during the review. The BFR was progressing very well until the final autorotation, when the helicopter touched down on a sod taxiway.
The CFI described the touchdown as soft. However, immediately after touchdown, aft cyclic was applied. Subsequently, the main rotor blades came into contact with the tail boom, severing it. The CFI noted that the accident was unexpected and occurred so quickly that he was unable to intervene.
Pilot Experience
The pilot undergoing the BFR had a total flight time of 344 hours, with 310 hours in the same make and model of helicopter as the accident aircraft.
Weather Conditions
The CFI stated that the weather was clear with calm winds at the time of the event.