What happened
During an initial flight instructor check ride, a commercial pilot was operating a helicopter with an FAA inspector acting as the check pilot. While performing a pinnacle approach, the pilot noted that the approach became shallow approximately 300 to 400 yards from the pinnacle. The pilot informed the check pilot of his intention to level off to regain a steeper approach angle.
After correcting the angle, the pilot continued the descent. Because the aircraft was still relatively high and far from the pinnacle, the pilot began increasing lift early to terminate the approach in a hover. During this phase, as the pilot transitioned his attention to the instruments, the check pilot called for a go-around.
In response to the command, the pilot initiated the go-around by increasing collective and adding forward cyclic. However, the pilot then noticed that the rotor RPMs were low. The check pilot observed that while the approach was slightly shallow, it was acceptable given the wind conditions. At approximately 50 feet above the pinnacle, with an airspeed of about 40 knots, the approach became steeper. Upon the command for a go-around, the pilot responded by lowering the collective and moving aft on the cyclic.
The check pilot noted that the airspeed slowed to approximately 20 knots and observed a reduction in rotor RPM accompanied by a large increase in manifold pressure. The helicopter began to yaw to the right, rotating approximately 280 to 300 degrees clockwise before impacting the ground on its right side. There were no fatalities reported.