What happened
The pilot, holding an airline transport certificate and operating as an air taxi carrier, was conducting a flight to deliver passengers to a remote location. The specific destination required a landing at an unprepared site. During the descent and final approach for this landing, the helicopter's main rotor system made contact with a tree located near the intended touchdown point.
Despite the impact, the aircraft remained under control and settled on the ground without any additional mishap or loss of control. There were no reports of structural damage to the airframe beyond the rotor system, and no injuries were reported among the occupants.
The investigation
Following the incident, a thorough inspection of the helicopter was conducted to assess the extent of the damage. The examination focused primarily on the main rotor assembly, which is critical for lift and control.
The inspection revealed that the main rotor blades had sustained significant damage from striking the tree. The condition of the blades was assessed as being beyond repair, necessitating their replacement before the aircraft could be returned to service.