Accident Details
During a practice 180-degree autorotation at approximately 300 feet above ground level (AGL), the helicopter encountered a high sink rate roughly 90 degrees into the turn. The pilot began to pull pitch to arrest the descent and started to roll the throttle open, observing the N2 and Nr needles join at 92 percent. The left 180-degree turn was completed, and the aircraft rolled out parallel to and west of the runway with about 40 knots indicated airspeed.
The pilot continued to roll on throttle and increase collective to hold the helicopter about 3 feet above the ground. However, the rotor rpm decreased too low, and the helicopter settled to the ground, sliding approximately 60 feet. The left skid toe and lower wire cutter dug into the ground, causing the helicopter to rock forward onto the toes of the skids. Subsequently, the main rotor blades contacted and severed the tail boom, and the helicopter rolled over, coming to rest on its left side.
The operator stated that "this maneuver could be entered from a higher AGL altitude, this would have prevented the accident." No other information was provided regarding injuries or damage.