Incident Details
The flight instructor and a pilot receiving instruction were conducting a practice right 180-degree autorotation. During the approach, the airspeed decreased to approximately 40 knots, which shortened the approach angle. When the helicopter was at 8 to 10 feet above the ground, the flight instructor advised the pilot to apply forward cyclic while maintaining the collective position. Subsequently, the flight instructor used what was left of the rotor RPM to cushion the landing.
Outcome
Upon touchdown, the helicopter landed hard. This resulted in structural damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.