Narrative:

Firework struck my aircraft:an established landing and takeoff site was 200 feet south of the main events during the festival. We roped off an area and controlled passenger loading/unloading as we do every weekend for various venues. Winds were 180/10-12 knots. Departure to the south; once established at 80 KIAS airspeed a right turn was executed to return to the event for a public overflight of the carnival and stage. Once over the event venue I began a climbing left hand turn. The left turn allowed passengers to view the event at night and capture the full flight tour experience. Climbing to destination altitude of 500-700 AGL I was approximately 150 AGL when I heard an explosion at the port side of the helicopter. An illegal firework was launched and directly struck the helicopter port side; which protects the main fuel tank. It was unknown at the time the firework struck the aircraft; as the sound of explosion to my left side and rear of the craft was heard; not felt. Immediate actions: leveled the bird; prepared for worst case scenario and had picked a landing spot at the 12 o'clock position. Checked the RPM; engine gauges and the bird felt 100% normal. I made a turn back to my safe area and landed the aircraft. Grabbed a flashlight and inspected the aircraft for damage and none was immediately found. Aircraft was deemed safe and I continued with a few more flights. Deviating well to the east on the follow on passovers. The next morning during preflight I discovered the 'shrapnel' evidence of the firework on the port side fairing; which houses the main fuel tank. No holes were in the side walls; however scratches and pin size holes littered a 12 by 12 inch area.I have since contacted the marketing director and he stated fireworks are not allowed and are illegal in the city without prior approval and a permit. He was not aware of any fireworks associated with the bands. He put me in contact with the entertainment director. He stated there were two young adults that were caught shooting illegal fireworks. Once he caught them; he said the security team asked for identification and none was provided. They two young adults were then escorted off the property. The following morning after preflight I physically walked the grounds and found evidence of the fireworks. Shooting balls via tube launcher. The launcher was found on the ground behind the stage and the empty package of shooting balls ammunition was located in a nearby trash receptacle. I did not further pursue and investigation as I am going to hand this over to the FAA and seek possible investigative efforts with other law enforcement agencies. Besides a few small; pin size dents the aircraft is safe and airworthy. I will be requesting an additional inspection during the aircraft's scheduled 100 hour inspection coming soon.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Robinson R44 pilot reported they were struck by an illegal firework while operating tours around a festival.

Narrative: Firework struck my aircraft:An established landing and takeoff site was 200 feet south of the main events during the festival. We roped off an area and controlled passenger loading/unloading as we do every weekend for various venues. Winds were 180/10-12 knots. Departure to the south; once established at 80 KIAS airspeed a right turn was executed to return to the event for a public overflight of the carnival and stage. Once over the event venue I began a climbing left hand turn. The left turn allowed passengers to view the event at night and capture the full flight tour experience. Climbing to destination altitude of 500-700 AGL I was approximately 150 AGL when I heard an explosion at the port side of the helicopter. An illegal firework was launched and directly struck the Helicopter port side; which protects the main fuel tank. It was unknown at the time the firework struck the aircraft; as the sound of explosion to my left side and rear of the craft was heard; not felt. Immediate actions: Leveled the bird; prepared for worst case scenario and had picked a landing spot at the 12 o'clock position. Checked the RPM; Engine gauges and the bird felt 100% normal. I made a turn back to my safe area and landed the aircraft. Grabbed a flashlight and inspected the aircraft for damage and none was immediately found. Aircraft was deemed safe and I continued with a few more flights. Deviating well to the east on the follow on passovers. The next morning during preflight I discovered the 'Shrapnel' evidence of the firework on the port side fairing; which houses the main fuel tank. No holes were in the side walls; however scratches and pin size holes littered a 12 by 12 inch area.I have since contacted the marketing director and he stated fireworks are not allowed and are illegal in the city without prior approval and a permit. He was not aware of any fireworks associated with the bands. He put me in contact with the entertainment director. He stated there were two young adults that were caught shooting illegal fireworks. Once he caught them; he said the security team asked for ID and none was provided. They two young adults were then escorted off the property. The following morning after preflight I physically walked the grounds and found evidence of the fireworks. Shooting balls via tube launcher. The launcher was found on the ground behind the stage and the empty package of shooting balls ammunition was located in a nearby trash receptacle. I did not further pursue and investigation as I am going to hand this over to the FAA and seek possible investigative efforts with other law enforcement agencies. Besides a few small; pin size dents the aircraft is safe and airworthy. I will be requesting an additional inspection during the aircraft's scheduled 100 hour inspection coming soon.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.