Incident Overview
According to the pilot, the accident occurred during departure from a heliport located on an oil rig platform. The pilot had brought the helicopter into a low hover when the tail rotor struck a two-foot vertical lightning rod attached to the edge of the platform. The impact resulted in damage to the tail rotor blades, horizontal stabilizer, wrinkling of the tail boom, and displacement of the tail rotor gear box.
Pilot Observations
The pilot reported that no mechanical anomalies were present with the helicopter prior to the impact. He noted that he had observed the placement of the lightning rod during previous landings on the platform, as well as during the current operation.
Damage Assessment
The collision caused visible damage to multiple components of the helicopter, including the tail rotor blades, horizontal stabilizer, tail boom, and tail rotor gear box. The specific extent of the damage was not further detailed in the report.