Air carrier flight crew reported a NMAC during initial climb. Captain sidestepped laterally from runway and continued climb.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a NMAC during initial climb. Captain sidestepped laterally from runway and continued climb.
Narrative
We were holding short of runway 28 in SAV at XA:36 Zulu. I was PF. There was Aircraft Y on short final as the tower gives a helicopter on the field; clearance for left closed traffic from taxi away Charlie back to taxiway Charlie. Once Aircraft Y lands; we were given a lineup and wait" clearance for Runway 28. Once we were cleared for takeoff at XA:38 Zulu we were given runway heading as ATC advises us that a helicopter will stay south of the runway at all times and maintain visual separation. I notice the helicopter takeoff from taxiway Charlie and turn to parallel our course briefly; climbing no more than 60-80 feet. As we start our takeoff role; the helicopter calls "aircraft insight; maintaining visual separation". The tower acknowledges. We accelerate through 80 knots and run through our profile for takeoff. At the same time; the helicopter turns left downwind maintaining what looks like 60-80 feet. As my FO calls for "V1; rotate"; the helicopter already on a tight left downwind banks sharply towards us just feet off the ground. My eyes remain locked on the rapidly approaching bright yellow helicopter as my FO calls for "positive rate". I call "gear up" and instinctively start sidestepping to the right side of the runway in a right bank to gain as much lateral separation from the helicopter as possible. The helicopter starting a tight left descending bank dives below us towards taxiway Charlie and disappears below and behind us. The incident was over in a few seconds. At our closest it seemed the helicopter was no more than a few hundred feet away laterally and descending towards us as we started our climb between 30 and 60 feet staying on runaway heading. We continue our profile and were given the handoff to departure. MY FO and I took a breath and look at each other and both verbally note how much of a close call that was. After departure gives us a heading; I told the FO "I'm going off Comm 1" and I tune SAV Towers frequency in Comm 2. I query the tower and let them know how uncomfortably close the helicopter came to us; causing me to take action below 100 feet. I thank the tower and go back on Comm 1. Rest of the flight goes as normal as we arrive back in ZZZ.Cause: Failure for the helicopter to maintain adequate separation within airport environment leading to evasive actions from transport category airplane below 100 feet.Suggestion: Reprimand the helicopter pilot for poor judgment; and educate ATC on what 'appropriate spacing' looks like within the terminal area."
Second reporter narrative
After holding short runway 28 in SAV we were instructed by the tower to line up and wait. We did so. While waiting for Aircraft Y to clear the runway tower gave a helicopter a clearance for left closed traffic from taxi way Charlie. We were then given a take off clearance. After starting the takeoff roll tower informed us the helicopter would remain south of runway 28. I immediately went to pull up TCAS on my MFD (Multi-function Flight Display); but it already popped up with a traffic advisory. The captain said he had it in sight but I was still searching. A few moments later I saw it. As I called V1 rotate the helicopter that was on a very tight downwind started making a base turn directly towards us. The captain started sidestepping away from the rapidly approaching traffic. This was below 100' agl. The helicopter then made a sharp turn to land on taxi way Charlie. We finished the climb profile; after take off checklist; and received a hand off to departure. I checked in with departure; we received a heading; and then the captain said he was going off comm 1 and contacted the tower on comm 2.Cause: Lack of situational awareness by atc; and/or helicopter pilot.Suggestion: Tower shouldn't have given the helicopter that clearance or shouldn't have given us a take off clearance yet. The helicopter should have maintained a standard traffic pattern and should have maintained a safe distance.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.