What happened
On January 18, 2017, a Robinson R22 helicopter, registration N8042B, was performing practice 180-degree autorotations near Champaign, Illinois. During the maneuvers, approximately 500 feet above the ground, the student pilot lowered the collective while applying aft cyclic and right pedal as the instructor reduced the throttle. The student pilot reported the aircraft began to dive, at which point the flight instructor took control.
In an attempt to initiate a go-around, the instructor applied aft cyclic and raised the collective, but the aircraft remained in a rapid descent. At approximately 50 feet, the instructor applied a harder flare to attempt to arrest the descent. The helicopter struck the ground with significant force, causing the skids to collapse and the main rotor blades to sever the tailboom. The aircraft slid approximately 300 feet down the runway toward the right, where the right skid caught in the grass, causing the helicopter to rotate clockwise, tip onto its nose, and roll to the left. There was one minor injury and no fatalities.
Prior to the accident, the crew had completed approximately 10 to 12 practice autorotations.