Incident Details
A flight instructor was providing instruction during a helicopter discovery flight to a pilot who held an airplane private pilot certificate. The instructor stated that before takeoff, he informed the receiving pilot, "I am going to do the takeoff, and you can feel the controls." Immediately after the helicopter entered a hover following takeoff, the receiving pilot applied "strong left input" with the cyclic control and would not release the controls despite repeated instructions to do so.
As a result of the left cyclic input, the helicopter's left main skid contacted the ground, causing the helicopter to roll over and come to rest on its left side.
Aircraft Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom. No other damage details were provided.
Instructor's Report
The flight instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. In the safety recommendation section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the instructor noted that he will not allow student pilots to touch the flight controls below 500 feet above the ground until he is comfortable with the student.