What happened
The incident occurred while passengers were in the process of boarding a helicopter. During this phase, the pilot heard and felt an impact against the tail rotor assembly. The engine was immediately shut down as a precautionary measure. Upon inspection, it was determined that a passenger had walked directly into the tail rotor blades.
The investigation
Investigation revealed that the individual involved had previously gained experience with helicopter operations at the specific site where the incident took place. Despite this familiarity, the passenger did not adhere to the established safety protocols regarding movement on the ground. Specifically, the individual failed to follow the designated walkways intended for safe passage to and from the aircraft.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the damage was the deviation from standard safety procedures by a person familiar with the environment. The failure to use marked paths led directly to contact with the rotating tail rotor while the engine was still running or coasting, resulting in immediate mechanical impact.