Why was the EGPWS/FLIR blurred out in the photos, were they possibly testing a new variant?

Gear down, Sliding door closed, no float deployment, pilots window and 2 emergency exits jettisoned on the port side, only the aft emerg. exit jettisoned on the starboard. Interesting indeed.

Sad that there was a tragic loss of life. RIP

Nothing to do with EGPWS (that’s GPS and radar-altimeter based) but an interesting observation about the FLIR!

Starboard door exit also jettisoned I think.

FLIR is ITAR, blocking it out just keeps various organisation in the US happy .

I was going to suggest that might be a reason, but there are so many photos in the public domain (including the LM website) that I discounted it!

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....355daf25a.jpeg
It looks to me like the silhouette of the landing gear is visible, top left, so maybe it came off in recovery?

Good obs!

Zoom in and see those tail blades have some big lengthwise cracks in them. They were probably spinning hard to do that damage.

I could not equate/reconcile the lack of damage to the airframe, with anything that would rip the gear off on impact, plus I could not see how the nose gear could be extended in isolation. Seems more plausible it was recovery damage - but pure speculation on my part.

It appears so.
In any case … No matter the cause.. I think. a big …”Thank. Gawd for Dunker training” is probably in order.

Good catch …I didn’t notice that the aft gear is not down.

What caused the damage in the tail area? And what could be the reason the floaters did not activate?

2014? Isn’t that the year of issue?
There is an AD 2024-05-51 issued Feb 16 2024 that concerns P+W PT6 engines.
I can not find an EAD 2014-05-51
Do you have a link?

Sorry, typo. It is US-2024-05-51 though. Won't let me post a link as I'm a new account holder, if you go to the Easa AD tool, it's the newest published AD.

FAA EAD #: 2024-05-51 EASA EAD US 2024-05-51

Reading the AD makes me wonder if I’ll see a US Army ASAM of SOF for the same issue when I get back into work this week..

FltMech

There’s a big contrast between the major damage to the main rotor blades and little or none to the tail rotor.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....93ee178c31.jpg

Starboard undercarriage leg visible in this lift from the water. The label on the front of the leg is a positive identifier as is the upper link.

Got it now.Thank you very much.
My BAD ……the P+W PT6 AD is 2024-04-51 not 05-51
Note to self “Drink Morning Coffee and allow it to take desired effect upon brain function before posting!”