Incident Summary
During a local instructional flight, a helicopter flight instructor was demonstrating a simulated forced landing to an open field. The maneuver involved an autorotation, but the main rotor RPM was allowed to decrease during the procedure. As a result, a high sink rate developed. Despite the instructor's efforts, who held 4,000 hours of flight experience, rotor RPM could not be regained. The helicopter subsequently landed hard on its skids and rolled over onto its side.
Investigation Details
An examination of the helicopter's flight controls and engine was conducted following the accident. No preimpact anomalies were discovered. The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the autorotation and the handling of rotor RPM. The instructor's inability to recover rotor RPM contributed to the hard landing and rollover. The aircraft sustained damage from the rollover, but further details on the extent of damage were not specified.
Operational Context
The flight was conducted as an instructional sortie, with the instructor demonstrating emergency procedures. The field selected for the simulated forced landing was open terrain. The environmental conditions and time of day were not disclosed. No other aircraft or personnel were involved. The accident highlights the challenges of maintaining rotor RPM during autorotation training.