There is a noticeable emission of somethibng (dark smoke/dust?) from the skid area immediately as the excursion occurs.
The helo then enters a violent pitch-down spiral from which it (just) recovers until the floats inflate and a large amout of white vapour comes from the engine exhaust.
I can't see that white vapour as anything but engine related, it seems clear where it's coming from.
To my view the float inflation is not connected with the white vapour, I think they are two seperate issues.
The white smoke? How about a flameout (the dark puff - FOD?) initiating a desperate pilot induced pitchdown for survival, blowing the floats commendably fast, and the relight system relighting an engine full of fuel and vapour with governor wide open as a result of a panicked "up to the armpit" pull on the lever?
Skilful recovery, or sphincter-based? I'd call it a reflex action supported by an astonishingly forgiving airframe.
There. That's my speculation for the week.
Last edited by meleagertoo; 8th July 2022 at 18:45.