Girdwood, AK, USA
N99645
Robinson R44
The pilot reported that, while "hot loading" the second set of fishermen onto the helicopter, a fishing rod struck a main rotor disc. The pilot added that he heard a "small tick," but that, as he hovered the helicopter, he felt no unusual indications through the flight controls. During examination of the helicopter after shutdown, the pilot found damage to the main rotor blade, and based on the manufacturer's main rotor blade damage guidance, he determined that the main rotor blade was beyond repair limits. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that while "hot loading" the second set of fishermen onto the helicopter, one of the fishing rods went into the main rotor disc. The pilot heard a "small tick" but felt nothing on the controls. He hovered the helicopter and no unusual indications were felt through the flight controls. Upon examination after shutdown, the pilot discovered damage to the main rotor blade and based on the manufacturer's main rotor blade damage guidance, the main rotor blade was found beyond repair limits. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blade. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The fisherman's fishing rod striking the helicopter’s rotating main rotor disk during loading.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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