Accident Overview
An aircraft being used to film a movie scene depicting an attack on a village typical of those in Vietnam was involved in an accident when it was approximately 25 feet above ground level at a location where special effects explosives were detonated. The accident resulted in the aircraft losing control and its main rotor blade striking three actors on the ground.
Sequence of Events
The pilot was turning the aircraft to provide camera coverage when the tail section was engulfed in a fireball created by the special effects explosion. Following the engulfment, the tail rotor assembly separated from the aircraft, causing a loss of control. The aircraft then descended uncontrollably, and during the descent, the main rotor blade struck three actors who were on the ground.
Probable Cause
The investigating board determined that the probable cause of the accident was the detonation of a debris-laden special effects explosion too near the aircraft. Furthermore, the proximity of the aircraft to the explosions was due to the failure to establish direct communications and coordination between the pilot, who was in charge of the aircraft operation, and the film director, who was in charge of the filming operation.