20220926021519A

Instructor and student was performing practice autorotations at a field location approximately 5 miles north of the falcon field (ffz) airport. This location is commonly used for helicopter training. The student had completed a series of 180 degree autorotations after which the instructor took the controls to demonstrate the maneuver. A review of flight tracking data showed that the instructor began the maneuver approximately 100 feet lower and 10 knots slower than the previous maneuvers. Also, the turn was performed to the right which required the instructor to view across the student in the right seat. This condition did not allow for the instructor to observe the developing situation until the turn was nearly completed. The istructor attempted to arrest the descent but was unsuccessful. The aircraft struck the ground in a tail low but wings level orientation. During the impact, the tailrotor to struck the ground causing the tail rotor blades to separate from the tail rotor hub. Further, the impact caused the skids to spread and the belly of the aircraft to strike the ground. The aircraft skidded to a stop where the aircraft rotated forward onto its nose causing the rotor blades to strike the ground. Both airman were able to exit the aircraft. After a minute, the airman noticed smoke coming from the aircraft eventually leading to the aircraft being consumed by fire.