Date: 201402
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: EWR.Airport, NJ
Weather elements / visibility: Haze / Smoke; 10
Aircraft: Helicopter
Operator: Air Taxi
Operating under: Part 135
Flight plan: None
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class B EWR
ATC / advisory: Tower EWR
Aircraft component: Cockpit Window
Reporter organization: Air Taxi
Reporter function: Single Pilot; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Confusion
Anomaly: Ground Event / Encounter Person / Animal / Bird
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related
Primary problem: Environment - Non Weather Related

Narrative: During a routine sight seeing flight in a helicopter; I began a climbing left turn into Class Bravo airspace. It was a flight area I am familiar with and I was on a higher alert for traffic targets as the area is intersecting various routes for transiting traffic; in addition to other sight seeing traffic. I was following my usual procedure with a high emphasis on scanning outside. I encountered an impact from a fast moving object which seemed to come from above my sight picture. The pilot side window was penetrated from the top section and I was hit in the face by the object alone with fragments of the window. My headset was flung from my head and I had a short moment of disorientation and slight upset in control. Initially I was not sure of my condition because of the slight disorientating aspects; which were partly due to a sharp increase in noise and a rush of outside air into the cockpit which was exaggerated because of the speed of flight. Within moments I had slowed the aircraft to reduce the wind; I regained my climb and leveled off at a safe altitude. I evaluated that I was in good condition along with the aircraft; besides from a break in the top section of my window. I also then determined that it was a bird that had made contact with my aircraft. I struggled to retrieve my headset so as to reestablish communication; from there I decided to return to my point of departure as it was within a mile distance. I made my communication call and landed the aircraft safely. After I had landed and secured the aircraft I checked that my passengers were unharmed and in good order. I explained to them what had happen and that the Ramp Attendant would help them out. All passengers were unmarked and they elected to take another flight that day with another company aircraft and pilot. After my aircraft was clear of all passengers I inspected for any damage to the aircraft frame and components; I secured all items within the cockpit and deemed that the aircraft was safe to fly. I then elected to reposition to a more suitable location; where the aircraft could be shut down. I took off and undertook my short flight to the company base. I then shut down the aircraft.




Synopsis: Helicopter pilot experiences a bird strike shortly after lifting off with passengers. After a moment of disorientation the pilot is able to return to the departure heliport.