20120717014499I

On July 17, 2012 at approximately 1245 Hawaii standard time, N716AM, an Agusta A109A helicopter operated by Niihau helicopters, inc. a 14 CFR § 135 on demand operator, struck a ironwood tree on departure from Nonopapa, Niihau with the main rotor blades. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The flight departed burns field, pak at 0910 with 5 passengers and one crew member on board for a charter flight to the island of Niihau. The first landing was made at Nonopapa on the western shore of Niihau at 0935. The pilot made a normal landing, and made a note that the winds were swirling with at least four 180 degree shifts over a period of time and were variable up to 15 knots. The pilot shut down the helicopter and the passengers were allowed to deplane. At approximately 1245 prior to the departure from Nonopapa, the pilot observed the winds out of the east-northeast at 15 knots, the pilot noted that with the winds from this direction he would have been limited to a confined area takeoff due to a line of trees to the east. The pilot then selected a departure from the northwest across the beach and out towards the ocean, in the time it took to load the passengers and warm up the engines, the winds shifted direction to east-southeast and on departure from Nonopapa the helicopter drifted to the right and causing the main rotor blades to strike an ironwood tree. The helicopter was approximately 10 - 15 feet off the ground when the main rotor blades struck the ironwood tree; the pilot felt a mild vibration (describe as a blade out of balance), with no abnormal noises, RPM drop or abnormal engines indications. The pilot made the determination to cancel the next stop on the charter and to fly back to burns field, pak. The pilot did not attempt to land the helicopter and inspect for damage or contact Niihau operations. During the half-hour return flight to burns field (pak), the pilot maintained a low altitude of 300 – 500 feet and a lower than normal airspeed of approximately 100 knots airspeed. The pilot made note of no increase in vibration and no other abnormal conditions with the helicopter. The pilot stayed in contact with Niihau base operations and barking sands control tower. He requested from Niihau base operations to contact Niihau's director of maintenance to meet the aircraft after landing at burns field, pak. The pilot made a running landing with a shallow approach to keep the power setting and cyclic movements to a minimum, once the helicopter made contact with the ground the vibration intensified slightly. The director of maintenance inspected the helicopter making note that all four main rotor blades tip caps were damaged. The main rotor blades were removed at burns field, pak and the helicopter was transported back to Niihau's facility.