Accident Overview
A helicopter was substantially damaged when it rolled onto its right side during a takeoff portion of an instructional flight. The accident occurred while the flight instructor and student pilot were practicing vertical takeoffs and landings at an airport. The instructor reported no injuries, and the student pilot sustained minor injuries.
Flight Instructor Account
According to the flight instructor, the training exercise involved a two-stage takeoff and lift-off procedure. During the maneuver, the student pilot was "light on the skids" and attempted to correct for left drift by applying right cyclic input. However, the student simultaneously applied excessive collective pitch. Within approximately two seconds, the helicopter rolled onto its right side and impacted the terrain.
Damage Assessment
The helicopter sustained substantial damage as a result of the rollover and ground impact. The specific components damaged were not detailed in the report.
Mechanical Status
The flight instructor explicitly stated that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure contributing to the accident. The helicopter was operating normally prior to the incident.
Location and Conditions
The practice session was conducted on airport property. No information about weather conditions or time of day was provided in the source.
Occupant Injuries
The instructor was uninjured. The student pilot received minor injuries. The nature of the student's injuries was not specified further.
Probable Cause
The source does not explicitly state a probable cause, but the instructor's description indicates that the student's control inputs—specifically, applying right cyclic with excessive collective while correcting for left drift during a vertical takeoff—led to the helicopter rolling over.