What happened
A pilot was undergoing instruction from a flight instructor to practice touchdown autorotations as part of the requirements for obtaining an instructor certificate. During the maneuver, the helicopter experienced a hard touchdown on the left main landing gear. This impact caused the left skid to separate from the aircraft, resulting in the helicopter rolling over to the left.
The pilot, who possessed over 3,420 hours of rotorcraft flight experience including 63 hours in this specific make and model, noted that there were no mechanical malfunctions present during the event. The pilot suggested that the accident could have been avoided if the instructor had intervened to take control of the aircraft.
Findings
The flight instructor involved had over 440 hours of rotorcraft experience, with 41 hours in the specific make and model. The pilot indicated that because the instructor was relatively new, there may have been a hesitation to correct the actions of a more experienced student pilot. Investigators were unable to contact the instructor for further statements following the incident.