# AI tells bystanders to approach a helicopter from the front or sides, but the correct approach is from the rear or sides (in pilot's view) to avoid rotor blades; front approach risks tail rotor strike

- **ID:** `emergency/helicopter-approach-rear`
- **Domain:** emergency
- **Category:** life_safety
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 90%

## Root Cause

The AI confuses general aviation aircraft (where front approach is safe) with helicopters, where the tail rotor is invisible and dangerous; the correct approach is from the sides or rear (within pilot's line of sight) to avoid being struck by the main or tail rotor.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21B) | active | — | — |
| European Helicopter Safety Team (EHEST) guidelines | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Always approach a helicopter from the sides or rear, within the pilot's field of view. Make eye contact with the pilot before moving closer. Never approach from the front (tail rotor danger) or directly behind (main rotor downwash). Stay low but do not crawl.** (95% success)
   ```
   Always approach a helicopter from the sides or rear, within the pilot's field of view. Make eye contact with the pilot before moving closer. Never approach from the front (tail rotor danger) or directly behind (main rotor downwash). Stay low but do not crawl.
   ```
2. **If the helicopter is on a slope, approach from the uphill side to avoid the main rotor dip. Follow crew member hand signals. Do not carry loose items that could be blown into the rotor.** (90% success)
   ```
   If the helicopter is on a slope, approach from the uphill side to avoid the main rotor dip. Follow crew member hand signals. Do not carry loose items that could be blown into the rotor.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Advising to approach from the front to 'make eye contact with the pilot'; this puts the person in the tail rotor danger zone if the helicopter is on the ground with rotors turning (95% fail)
- **** — Suggesting to approach from the side to 'avoid the rotor wash'; side approach is correct only if the pilot is looking that way, but the correct method is always from the rear or sides with pilot acknowledgment (80% fail)
- **** — Recommending to crawl under the helicopter to avoid rotor blades; this is extremely dangerous as the helicopter may settle or shift, and the tail rotor is still a hazard (90% fail)