Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot inadvertently pulled back on the cyclic when birds flew into the windscreen. A factor associated with the accident were the birds.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported the tail rotor contacted water during landing. The pilot reported he was landing near a "decorative pond" at a country club when the accident occurred. The pilot reported he flew over the landing area and did not notice any obstructions. He reported that unknown to him at the time, there were ducks along the bank of the pond. The pilot reported the ducks flew up into the windscreen at which time he pulled back on the cyclic and the tail rotor contacted the water. The pilot reported he then entered an autorotation, touching down on the bank of the pond.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI06CA214