Incident Overview
A chief pilot with 7,000 flight hours landed a helicopter at a helipad located on private property. After touchdown, the pilot reduced the throttle to ground idle and informed the passengers that it was safe to exit. The pilot did not report the presence of any ground or crowd control personnel to assist passengers, and no barriers were present around the helipad area.
Sequence of Events
Within less than one minute after landing, a waiting passenger approached the helicopter from the rear. As the passenger approached, they became distracted by blowing dust and inadvertently walked into the rotating tail rotor blades.
Safety Information
Years prior to the incident, the FAA had published information alerting operators about the lack of conspicuity of rotating rotor blades. To enhance safety, the FAA suggested that ground support personnel be available to assist passengers and that physical barriers be placed around operational areas to separate prospective passengers from hazards.
Investigation Findings
The investigation found no evidence that the helicopter operator had ground support personnel present to assist the prospective passenger or that it had placed restricting access devices around the helipad area.