Collision with terrain - Schweizer 269C-1, VH-XTY, Moorabbin Airport, Victoria, on 5 December 2011

During the afternoon of 5 December 2011, an instructor and student were conducting emergency procedures training in the circuit at Moorabbin aerodrome, Victoria, in a Schweizer 269C-1 helicopter, registered VH-XTY. The flight was to include low-level autorotations to simulate an engine failure during the take-off and approach.

At about 1520 Eastern Daylight-saving Time, and at about 200 ft above ground level (AGL), the instructor initiated a practice engine failure after take-off. The exercise was to be conducted to a power termination.

The student entered autorotation and subsequently flared the helicopter to the instructor's satisfaction; however, the helicopter did not decelerate as expected. Realising that imminent ground contact would be excessive; the instructor took control, levelled the skids and attempted to arrest the descent. The helicopter impacted the ground heavily in a level attitude, moving forward and with the skids straight. The helicopter subsequently rolled onto its left side and was seriously damaged. The instructor received minor bruising and the student was uninjured.

While the reason for the accident could not be conclusively established, it is possible that low forward airspeed was a contributory factor.

As a result of this occurrence, the aircraft operator has advised the ATSB that they are reviewing their procedures for the conduct of low-level autorotations.