Incident Summary
A training flight involving practice autorotations ended with a rollover after the student pilot made an abrupt control input that led to a tail rotor strike. The flight instructor (CFI) and student were not injured.
Sequence of Events
The student successfully completed one practice straight-in autorotation to a grass area between the runway and taxiway, terminating with a power-on hover at three feet. The CFI then instructed the student to repeat the maneuver. During the second attempt, the student overcontrolled the aft cyclic, causing the tail rotor to strike an object before the CFI could recognize and counter the sudden input. The rotorcraft subsequently entered an uncontrolled right yaw until the landing skid caught the terrain, causing the helicopter to roll over onto its right side.
Outcome
After the rollover, both the student and the CFI evacuated the rotorcraft through the left door. Neither occupant reported any injuries. The aircraft sustained damage from the tail rotor strike and the rollover.