What happened
During a training flight intended to prepare a student pilot for a private pilot helicopter check ride, the crew was practicing simulated engine failure maneuvers. The student pilot reported that he was managing the flight controls and initiated a simulated failure by reducing engine power from 2900 rpm to 2400 rpm. During this process, the engine power dropped to 0 rpm, causing the engine to stop.
The flight instructor took control of the aircraft and entered an autorotation to land in an open, uneven field. As the instructor flared the helicopter for touchdown, the aircraft struck the ground and flipped onto its right side. There were no injuries reported following the accident.
The investigation
A post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed no evidence of mechanical problems prior to the impact. The flight instructor also reported that there were no anomalies regarding the flight controls before the event occurred.