Event Description
A training flight intended to practice simulated engine failure autorotations without power recovery ended with the helicopter rolling onto its side. The pilot completed the first autorotation with a right 180-degree turn but found the airspeed too slow. For the second attempt, the flight instructor advised maintaining more speed during the right turn. The pilot focused on increasing airspeed, but the descent rate rose as a result.
After completing the right turn and aligning with the runway centerline, the pilot perceived the airspeed as fast and initiated a flare to reduce ground speed and increase main rotor rpm. However, the helicopter began to sink during the flare. Due to the low altitude, the pilot leveled the helicopter to avoid a tail strike.
The helicopter touched down on its skids with substantial forward speed, veering slightly to the right. Despite the pilot applying full left cyclic and pedal input, the helicopter continued veering right, exited the runway, and rolled over onto its left side.
Pilot and Instructor Accounts
The pilot reported that the first autorotation had airspeed too slow, leading to the instructor's suggestion to maintain more speed on the second attempt. The pilot noted that focusing on airspeed caused the descent rate to increase. After the flare and subsequent leveling, the helicopter landed hard and veered off.
The instructor stated that the 180-degree right turn aligned the helicopter with the runway centerline but at a lower altitude than desirable. This prevented a normal flare, as a standard 30-degree nose-up attitude would have risked a tail strike; the pilot achieved only about 10 degrees nose-up.
Damage and Other Information
The fuselage and main rotor blades sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.