Incident Overview
A helicopter pilot reported an accident that occurred while filming a boat. The pilot was flying the helicopter with the doors removed, approximately 20 feet above the water and three-quarters of a mile offshore. During the flight, the pilot observed seabirds crossing from right to left ahead of the helicopter, but assessed them as no factor.
Sequence of Events
Shortly after seeing the birds, the pilot initiated a right turn to follow the boat. While looking over his right shoulder, he felt an object strike him in the back of the head. Dazed from the blow, the pilot flared the helicopter to reduce speed, causing it to settle into the water. He then applied left lateral cyclic to stop the main rotor blade's rotation, and the helicopter rolled left and inverted in the water.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that he believed he had been hit in the head by a seabird. He stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Damage
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor blades as a result of the water impact and inversion.