NTSB Factual Report

According to the flight instructor, he and his student, a certificated airplane pilot, were practicing hovering autorotations about 3 feet above the ground. The student pilot reduced engine power to initiate the maneuver, pushed forward on the cyclic, and the helicopter descended. The flight instructor stated that he assumed cyclic control, and then the helicopter impacted the ground "fairly hard and bounced." The student pilot subsequently pulled up on the collective, the left skid remained in contact with the ground, and the helicopter rolled over on its left side. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical or performance deficiencies with the helicopter.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a hovering autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and inadvertent dynamic rollover.