Incident Overview
A flight instructor and a pilot receiving instruction were conducting a training flight that included a practice 180-degree autorotation. The maneuver was being performed as part of the instructional curriculum.
Sequence of Events
According to the flight instructor, the helicopter was executing the autorotation when, just prior to touchdown, he perceived an abrupt loss in altitude. This unexpected descent led to a hard landing, during which the tail rotor struck the ground. The impact caused substantial damage to the tail rotor assembly.
Post-Incident Assessment
The flight instructor reported that no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures had been observed with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The incident was attributed to the dynamics of the maneuver rather than any mechanical issue.
Damage
The tail rotor sustained substantial damage as a result of the strike. No other damage to the airframe was reported.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the challenges associated with autorotation training, particularly the precise control required during the flare and touchdown phase. However, no specific causal factors beyond the abrupt altitude loss were identified.