Accident Details
A helicopter conducting a check ride for a private pilot helicopter rating with a designated pilot examiner (DPE) experienced an accident during a practice autorotation. The purpose of the flight was the check ride, and after completing several maneuvers, an autorotation was initiated.
Sequence of Events
According to the DPE, the entry and flare of the autorotation were uneventful. The pilot applied power to recover, with engine and rotor rpm needles in the green. As the pilot began to cushion the descent with collective, the low rotor rpm horn activated. The DPE expected the pilot to lower the collective slightly and add throttle, but instead the pilot lowered the collective almost fully and rolled some throttle off. At that point, the helicopter was very close to the ground. The DPE stated, "I have the controls," and the helicopter entered a right turn as the DPE intended to continue the turn and use available power to fly out. During this, the DPE felt the right pedal move against his foot, and the helicopter settled to the ground at an angle. After bouncing once, it touched down on the left skid and rolled over.
Post-Accident Information
After the accident, the DPE asked the pilot if he had been rolling the throttle off while pulling collective up during the cushion. The pilot reported that in the past he had been over-speeding the engine and would slightly reduce throttle to compensate. The pilot also applied left pedal when attempting to align the helicopter with a track. No mechanical discrepancies were noted with the helicopter prior to the accident. The density altitude was 8,393 feet above mean sea level.