Incident Details
During a training flight, the helicopter began to spin to the left during liftoff. According to the instructor, the helicopter completed two to two and a half rotations before contacting the ground in a level attitude. Following initial ground contact, the helicopter spun approximately 180 degrees, causing damage to one skid and the tailboom. After the first ground contact, the instructor reported that the helicopter spun again, about 180 to 270 degrees, before coming to a rest.
Instructor's Account
The instructor stated that he allowed the student to have as much control during the liftoff as he was comfortable permitting. He instructed the student to "raise the collective slowly and correct for any movement." During the maneuver, the helicopter started spinning left. The instructor indicated that he believed he overreacted to the controls, then overcorrected. The instructor reported that the helicopter spun rapidly two and a half full turns before ground contact. Upon contacting the ground, the instructor stated that he had all of the controls.
Damage
The accident resulted in damage to one of the helicopter's skids and the tailboom. No other damage items were specified.