Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper decision to land downwind from unsecured debris, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor disk ingesting foreign objects.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The helicopter pilot reported that, he landed the helicopter facing south and about 30 yards from the empty gravel carrying super sacks. When the skids touched down, the pilot reduced the collective and saw a super sack about 15ft away and coming at the helicopter. The super sack was ingested by the advancing side of the main rotor disk. The pilot rolled off throttle and shut down the engine.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades.
The pilot reported that the wind at the accident site was from the southwest about 15 knots.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA531