Incident Overview
A pilot reported that the tail rotor of his helicopter contacted water during a landing attempt near a decorative pond at a country club. The pilot stated that he had flown over the intended landing area and did not observe any obstructions. However, unknown to him at the time, ducks were present along the bank of the pond.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, as he commenced the landing, the ducks flew up and struck the windscreen. In response, the pilot pulled back on the cyclic control. This action caused the tail rotor to dip and make contact with the water. The pilot then entered an autorotation and touched down on the bank of the pond.
Pilot's Account
The pilot emphasized that he had conducted a visual inspection of the landing zone prior to the approach and saw no hazards. The presence of the ducks was not apparent until they suddenly flew into the windscreen. The pilot's immediate reaction to the unexpected obstacle led to the tail rotor striking the water surface.