Incident Overview
A single-engine helicopter sustained structural damage after a hard landing during a training exercise. The flight instructor was simulating a loss of engine power for a student when the rotor rpm dropped below acceptable levels at approximately 400 feet above ground.
Sequence of Events
The instructor, noticing the low rotor rpm, immediately lowered the collective fully and applied forward cyclic in an attempt to recover rotational speed. Despite these efforts, rotor rpm could not be restored. The instructor then executed a flare to cushion the landing, but the helicopter contacted the ground hard. The impact caused the main rotor blades to strike and sever the tail boom.
Aircraft Damage
The helicopter's tail boom was completely separated from the fuselage due to the rotor blade strikes. No other damage details are available from the source.
Training Context
The flight was conducted as a dual instructional flight, with the instructor simulating a power loss to practice autorotational landings. The incident occurred during the simulated emergency procedure.