Accident Sequence
During a dual training flight, the student pilot, who had accumulated two hours of total flight time, was practicing low-level hovering. The student was unable to maintain directional control of the helicopter. As a result, the flight instructor took control of the aircraft and applied control inputs to arrest the movement that the student had induced to the right and to the rear. As the helicopter began to move forward and to the left, the flight instructor inadvertently allowed the left skid to come into contact with the terrain. This contact resulted in a dynamic rollover, with the helicopter coming to rest on its left side.
Training Details
The flight was conducted as a dual training exercise, with an instructor and a student. The student had minimal flight experience, totaling only two hours. The specific maneuver being practiced was low-level hovering. According to the instructor, there was no indication of a mechanical malfunction during the flight.
Investigation
The investigation focused on the events leading up to the dynamic rollover. The instructor's actions were examined, and it was determined that the inadvertent contact of the left skid with the terrain initiated the rollover sequence. No mechanical issues were reported, and the aircraft sustained damage consistent with a rollover event.