Incident Overview
A flight instructor (CFI) was demonstrating an autorotation with a 180-degree turn to a soft sod area when the helicopter nosed over after touchdown. The CFI reported that the helicopter touched down with only slight forward speed in a slightly nose-low attitude. Following touchdown, the skids dug into the soft ground, causing the helicopter to begin pitching forward. The CFI applied slight downward collective, but the helicopter subsequently nosed over, and the main rotor blades contacted the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side.
Pilot Accounts
The commercial pilot, who was receiving instruction, reported a different touchdown experience. According to the commercial pilot, the helicopter touched down smoothly in a level attitude, carrying 5 to 10 knots of forward speed.
Environmental Conditions
The CFI stated that at the time of the accident, the wind was variable but generally aligned with the direction of landing. The soft sod surface was identified as a factor in the sequence of events, as the skids dug into the ground after touchdown.
Recommendations
An FAA inspector recommended that local helicopter operators discontinue using the sod area for running landings and autorotations until the ground is considered hard enough for practice running landings.