On January 21, 1985, a Hughes 369E (registration N121JP) was involved in an aviation accident near Honolulu, HI. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter flying over water at 400 feet struck a flock of white birds, causing extreme vibration. The pilot elected to land on the water; the aircraft rolled over and sank. The pilot escaped and swam to shore without injury.
Incident Overview
A helicopter operating over open water encountered a large flock of white birds at an altitude of approximately 400 feet above ground level, about half a mile from shore. The pilot reported sighting the flock and attempted to avoid a collision by flaring to a stop, but was unable to prevent impact.
Sequence of Events
After the helicopter struck one or more birds, an extreme vibration developed. In response, the pilot elected to descend and touch down on the water surface. The aircraft touched down on the water, subsequently rolled over, and sank.
Outcome
The pilot was able to egress from the sinking helicopter and swam to shore. The pilot sustained no injuries. The helicopter was not recovered.