Incident Summary
A helicopter conducting a training flight experienced an accident during a simulated engine failure maneuver. The flight instructor (CFI), acting as pilot-in-command, was providing instruction to an airline transport pilot (ATP) working toward a CFI rating. The CFI initiated a simulated engine failure at an altitude of 200 feet above ground level (AGL) and an airspeed of 60 knots.
Sequence of Events
The ATP began an autorotation upon the simulated failure. After completing the deceleration and initial pitch pull, the helicopter made contact with the ground, bounced upward, and then slid to the right and rearward. During the slide, the ATP observed a taxiway light ahead and increased collective pitch to avoid a collision but encountered resistance on the flight controls.
The CFI, who had not seen the taxiway light, noticed a decay in engine and rotor RPM. He immediately applied downward pressure on the collective and left forward cyclic to stop the horizontal movement and level the helicopter. The CFI stated that he informed the ATP that he had the flight controls, but the ATP could not confirm this communication.
The helicopter subsequently struck the taxiway light and the taxiway surface with its right skid, then entered a dynamic rollover.