What happened
During a visual flight rules (VFR) climbout from a parallel taxiway, a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), acting as the pilot in command, was conducting flight instruction for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) candidate working toward a CFI rating.
The instructor initiated a simulated engine failure at 200 feet above ground level while traveling at 60 knots. In response to the maneuver, the ATP began an autorotation. Following the completion of the deceleration and the initial pitch pull, the helicopter made contact with the ground, bounced, and slid toward the right and rearward.
The student pilot observed a taxiway light and increased collective pitch in an attempt to avoid a collision with the object; however, this resulted in resistance on the flight controls. The instructor noticed a decay in engine and rotor RPM but had not seen the taxiway light. To stop the horizontal movement and level the aircraft, the instructor applied left forward cyclic and downward pressure on the collective. During the maneuver, the helicopter's right skid struck the taxiway and a taxiway light, causing the aircraft to enter a dynamic rollover.