Incident Overview
A helicopter flight instructor was conducting night training with a newly hired company pilot. Both were using night vision goggles. While the helicopter was in a hover, the instructor attempted to demonstrate the use of the controllable searchlight to the pilot in the right seat.
Sequence of Events
To adjust the searchlight, the instructor took the left cyclic in his left hand—which would normally hold the left collective—and reached for the control switch for the light. In doing so, he grabbed the throttles of the right collective with his right hand, which would normally be on the left cyclic. He then inadvertently pushed down on the collective, causing the helicopter to begin settling onto the runway.
In response, his reflex was to pull up with his left hand (which would normally be on the collective), resulting in the helicopter moving rearward. To correct this rearward movement, he pushed the cyclic forward. The helicopter then touched down hard, and the main rotor impacted the upper wire strike protection unit.
Damage
The main rotor sustained substantial damage.
Mechanical Condition
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.