Incident Overview
During a flight intended for herding cattle, the pilot's focus was diverted by a bull that began running towards the helicopter. The pilot was attempting to direct the bull through a gate while hovering at an altitude of approximately 5 to 10 feet above ground level. According to the pilot, the bull suddenly changed direction and began to run underneath the helicopter, prompting the pilot to maneuver out of the way to avoid a collision.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that shortly after taking evasive action, he felt the helicopter make contact with some brush. In response, he executed a 180-degree pedal turn. During this maneuver, the pilot noted the onset of vibrations, which led him to initiate an autorotational landing to safely bring the aircraft to the ground.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that his attention was diverted by the bull's unexpected behavior. After the helicopter contacted the brush, he felt vibrations and decided to perform a 180-degree pedal turn. The vibrations persisted, and he subsequently executed an autorotational landing. The pilot's actions were based on his assessment of the situation following the brush strike.