Incident Overview
A helicopter supporting a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pronghorn animal capture project experienced a hard landing, resulting in structural damage to the tail boom and bulkhead. The pilot reported that no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures occurred that would have precluded normal operation.
Flight Details
During takeoff, the pilot noted that cockpit gauges were in the green range, indicating sufficient power for the weight and density altitude. The pilot began herding operations by maneuvering behind a small group of animals and successfully directing them toward a trap on the ground. After approximately 20 minutes, a large group of pronghorn was located, and the pilot again maneuvered the helicopter behind them to herd them toward the trap's funnel.
Maneuver and Hard Landing
The animals suddenly reversed course and ran directly under the helicopter. In response, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter backward about 50 to 100 feet while applying forward cyclic and maintaining an altitude of about 15 feet above ground level. The helicopter began to settle with power, and as the pilot applied up collective, the descent rate increased. The helicopter then landed hard, causing structural damage to the tail boom and bulkhead.
Post-Incident Report
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical issues with the helicopter. The incident occurred during a routine wildlife herding operation.