Incident Overview
A flight instructor took control of a helicopter and departed toward a lake. During the flight, the instructor reported that the gray sky made it difficult to distinguish between the water and the sky. According to the student pilot, the instructor lowered the helicopter's nose during a turn. The instructor then leveled the helicopter and added power. The student stated that the helicopter lost lift and descended toward the water.
Accident Sequence
The landing skid contacted the water, causing the helicopter to roll over. It came to rest on its side in approximately 2 feet of water, about 250 feet from the shore. The main rotor blades were bent and the cabin area was crushed.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the helicopter's systems conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed no anomalies.