20080525837219I

(-23) On may 25th, 2008 the UH-60 and crew were performing an ape for a PIC assigned to Montana air branch. During the ape a radio call was received by the crew to return to home base for further priority instructions. At 2030 local, the UH-60 landed and shut down at the Montana air branch. The crew was then briefed by the cdo on a mission change, which was to assist state and locals on a search for some missing rafters. The PIC and crew (PIC, SIC and ttl) then began customary mission planning, were briefed on the situation and departed the Montana air branch at approximately 2100. The UH-60 and crew repositioned the aircraft to the location of the sar (search and rescue) command post, an open field near a pved rest area along Montana highway 15. The crew then met with local law enforcement and sar crews to develop a plan. The UH-60 and crew then loaded the aircraft with four sar personnel and one witness, who knew exactly where one of the victims was located. The UH-60 then departed the command post and began its search, flying to coordinates along the river provided by the sar command post. The witness then stated, through one of the sar members on board, that they were too FAR up river so, the crew began searching down stream. Several minutes later the crew noticed a flashing light in the tree line with high rock terrain on all sides. The PIC then maneuvered the helicopter closer, in an attempt to get into position to further assist the victim. Crew members in the back of the UH-60 began assisting the PIC in directions and altitudes. About the time one of the crewmembers announced the victim was climbing down the terrain toward the rotor disk of the helicopter. The PIC then ordered the ttl to stop the victim in order to prevent him from contacting the rotor disk. The ttl began motioning the victim to back away, waving his arms etc. The UH-60 was at a hover during this whole operation. At some point, the PIC felt that this victim was going to contact the rotor blades, so to prevent this he moved the helicopter to the right which caused the blades to strike a tree at the aircrafts approximate 3 o'clock position. The crew heard and felt this which caused them to immediately begin emergency procedures and get the aircraft on the ground. The aircraft was repositioned to the first available suitable landing area, approximately 500 yards down river. The crew experienced violent vibrations through the flight controls but was able land the aircraft uneventfully, performed emergency shutdown procedures and brought the rotors and engines to a full stop. Once stopped the crew assessed the damage and opted to notify Montana air branch operations via the hf radio, explaining what had happened. The time was 2220 local. About one hour later, the crew heard a rescue craft along the river, made contact and was able to direct them to the victim on the riverbank for rescue. The victim was suffering from hypothermia and broken ribs. The UH-60 was secured and the crew was transported back to the Montana air branch via N845BP, the branches AS-350-B3. Two local county deputies were left guarding the helicopter until daylight where they were relieved by havre sector border patrol agents.