A dramatic moment unfolded in the skies above Brazil when a helicopter pilot let out an astonished “Holy s*it!” as a vulture crashed directly into his windscreen.
The intense encounter, captured on cockpit footage, shows the massive bird barreling toward the aircraft as the pilot attempted an evasive maneuver.
Despite his efforts, the vulture struck head-on with tremendous force over the rugged terrain.
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The collision was so powerful that an iPad mounted to the interior of the windshield was dislodged and flung toward the pilot.
Remarkably, the device narrowly missed him as he exclaimed,
“Holy s*it! Damn, bro!”
while regaining control of the situation.
The helicopter’s polycarbonate windscreen absorbed the blow, preventing catastrophic damage, and the quick-thinking pilot, Cleyson Freire, successfully maintained control of the Robinson R66.
Freire was conducting an executive flight between Jundiaí and São Paulo when the startling incident occurred, as first reported by vknews24.
Despite the mid-air scare, he managed to land the helicopter safely at its intended destination without further trouble.
Helicopters are particularly intimidating to birds compared to other aircraft types, according to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The agency advises pilots to wear helmets and eye protection and recommends maintaining an altitude of at least 2,500 feet whenever feasible.
EASA also cautions against flying over rivers, shorelines, or wildlife sanctuaries, where birds are more likely to congregate.
The vulture seen in the footage is believed to be a New World species, possibly a black vulture (Coragyps atratus) or a turkey vulture (Cathartes aura).
Black vultures can weigh up to 6.6 pounds with a wingspan of 66 inches, while turkey vultures are slightly lighter, weighing up to 5.3 pounds but boasting a larger wingspan of 72 inches.
Their size and strength underscore the significant danger they pose during such encounters.
This extraordinary event highlights both the unpredictability of flying through bird-populated areas and the resilience required to navigate such challenges safely.
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SOURCE: Pilot gets fright of life as vulture slams into chopper windscreen
