Incident Overview
A certified flight instructor and his commercially rated dual student were practicing simulated engine failures after takeoff. According to the instructor's written statement, the third practice engine failure resulted in the helicopter getting too close to the ground, and the main rotor RPM had not recovered high enough for continued flight.
Instructor Actions
Sensing the critical situation, the instructor took the controls from the student and executed a landing slide onto rough and uneven terrain. During the slide, the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom, severing the rear section of the tail boom.
Findings
The instructor reported that the main rotor blades made contact with the tail boom during the landing slide, resulting in the separation of the tail boom's rear section. No further details about the aircraft, injuries, or other damage were provided in the source.