What happened
On July 16, 2020, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, registration N1432D, was performing external load operations to a boat near Homer, Alaska. During maneuvers, the pilot experienced violent shaking in the aircraft. The pilot determined that the main rotor blades had struck the mast of the boat. In response, the pilot jettisoned the 50-foot longline, which triggered the activation of the skid-based emergency flotation system. The helicopter subsequently landed on the water, and there were no injuries.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft following the event revealed that the two main rotor blades had sustained substantial damage due to the impact with the boat's mast. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions present in the helicopter prior to the accident that would have prevented normal operation.