Incident Overview
A helicopter pilot reported that after landing, a super sack was ingested by the advancing side of the main rotor disk, causing substantial damage to the main rotor blades.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, the helicopter touched down facing south, approximately 30 yards from empty gravel carrying super sacks. As the skids made contact with the ground, the pilot reduced the collective and observed a super sack about 15 feet away approaching the helicopter. The super sack was then ingested by the advancing side of the main rotor disk. In response, the pilot rolled off the throttle and shut down the engine.
Damage Assessment
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades as a result of the ingestion.
Environmental Conditions
The pilot reported that at the accident site, the wind was from the southwest at about 15 knots.
Mechanical Status
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.