20020714034489I

(-23) The safecom report was generated by the U.S. Forest service and conveyed that a model 64E helicopter, N189AC, was engaged in water drops on the Piper fire south of Bishop, California. The pilot, in his safecom report, indicated that he was using the reservoir, in the Bishop area, as his source for loading water onto his helicopter. The pilot indicated that his approach was from north to south and that there was a slight breeze of less than 5 knots. He stated that he tried to get close to the shore but that the water was too shallow for the snorkel (a hose connected to a tank attached to the under body of the helicopter which is submerged into a body of water nad used to fill the attached tank saving the helicopter valuable time in not having to land and refill) to submerge. He then indicated that he moved about 50 feet toward the center of the reservoir but had misjudged his visual clues on his approach. He then stated that the water appeared to be "milky and glassy" and that he had little or no airspeed, but that he was still in a flared position as he approached the water. At that point, he felt the wheels touch the water and then felt vibration from the pedals. It was at this point, although not stated, he indicates that "I realized what happened so I moved to the shore and shut the aircraft down." The pilot stated, "that he also called air attack to inform them on what happened." It is presumed that the pilot knew at that point that his tail rotor had struck the water. This is supported, by the added note, following the pilot's comments, addressed in the report, that the R-5 rasm (regional aviation safety manager covering region 5) stated: "tail rotor of aircraft came into contact with the water knocking off 2 rotor tip caps."