Schweizer 269 C instructor pilot automatic rotates below desired altitude.

Attributes
ACN	700102
Time
Date	200606
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : zzz.airport
State Reference	US
Altitude	msl single value : 1000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Helicopter
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Flight Plan	None
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	instruction : instructor oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine pilot : cfi
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 100 flight time total : 1000 flight time type : 850
ASRS Report	700102
Person 2
Affiliation	other
Function	instruction : trainee
Events
Anomaly	other anomaly
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : overcame equipment problem
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Ambiguous

Narrative:

While demonstrating a 360 degree automatic rotation to student from 2100 ft to 1300 ft MSL; my anr battery pack lodged between collective and friction. My intent was to stay over open field and start recovery at 1300 ft and ensure we did not go below 1200 ft MSL. This would put us 600 ft AGL with lots of options. At 1300 ft I tried to recover but could not get collective up sufficient enough to stop descent. I then opted to land in parking lot as it appeared empty and a safer choice. At 1000 ft MSL the anr dislodged and I was able to recover.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SCHWEIZER 269 C INSTRUCTOR PLT AUTO ROTATES BELOW DESIRED ALT.

Narrative: WHILE DEMONSTRATING A 360 DEG AUTO ROTATION TO STUDENT FROM 2100 FT TO 1300 FT MSL; MY ANR BATTERY PACK LODGED BTWN COLLECTIVE AND FRICTION. MY INTENT WAS TO STAY OVER OPEN FIELD AND START RECOVERY AT 1300 FT AND ENSURE WE DID NOT GO BELOW 1200 FT MSL. THIS WOULD PUT US 600 FT AGL WITH LOTS OF OPTIONS. AT 1300 FT I TRIED TO RECOVER BUT COULD NOT GET COLLECTIVE UP SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO STOP DSCNT. I THEN OPTED TO LAND IN PARKING LOT AS IT APPEARED EMPTY AND A SAFER CHOICE. AT 1000 FT MSL THE ANR DISLODGED AND I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.