What happened
A training flight was conducted to practice maneuvers related to hovering. The intended practice area was a flat, smooth, grassy field located on the west side of the airport, situated between the runway and the control tower.
During the maneuver, the student pilot prepared to lift into a hover while the instructor pilot monitored the controls. The instructor noted that the helicopter was positioned into the wind and that all control inputs were slow, smooth, and deliberate. As the aircraft began to lift, the right skid remained low; the pilot believed the right skid did not fully break contact with the ground.
The aircraft began to roll to the right. Despite the instructor applying left lateral cyclic, the roll continued until the main rotor blades made contact with the ground. The aircraft subsequently came to rest on its right side. At the time of the accident, winds were reported from 350 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts reaching 30 knots.
There were no injuries resulting from this event.