Incident Overview
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were practicing hover autorotations in a helicopter. The CFI noted that the student had previously expressed difficulty with sufficient pedal inputs, and the helicopter would yaw excessively to the left during maneuvers.
Demonstration and Attempted Maneuver
The CFI demonstrated the correct technique to the student, showing how to establish the helicopter in a 2-foot hover, select an external reference point to maintain heading, position the hand on the throttle to roll it off, and prepare to apply right pedal to counteract left yaw as the throttle is reduced. After the demonstration, the student took control and configured the helicopter for the hovering autorotation. The CFI kept his left hand on the collective, right hand on the cyclic, and feet guarding the pedals.
Student Input and Loss of Control
The student began a countdown—"three, two, one…"—and then rolled the throttle on while adding right pedal. The helicopter yawed hard and fast to the right, and the student pulled aft cyclic. The CFI attempted to regain control, but the tail cone contacted the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side.
Post-Accident Statement
The CFI stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident.