Overview
On October 27, 2022, at about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, registration N442H, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Sarasota, Florida. The flight instructor and a passenger were seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, while en route, he observed birds in his flight path. He banked to the right to avoid striking one, and then felt a vibration in the helicopter. He moved the collective up and down in an attempt to stop the vibration, but it continued. The pilot performed a precautionary landing to a marshy area, and the helicopter subsequently rolled over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.
Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter and found that the tail rotor exhibited a dent. The inspector, along with a mechanic, further examined the helicopter for any anomalies and noted that there were no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
The dent was examined for evidence of a bird strike; however, the dented side of the tail rotor landed in the marsh water and remained there until it was recovered, and no evidence of organic material was noted.