On June 14, 1984, a Hughes 269C (registration N9668F) was involved in an aviation accident near Boyd, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to see a wire at the end of the field while distracted by a person in a ditch during the pull-up phase of a spray run. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter pilot lost control after striking a wire with the tail rotor during a spray run, managing to level the aircraft before ground impact.
What happened
During an agricultural spraying operation, the pilot was conducting a spray run when initiating a gradual pull-up at the end of the field. The pilot became distracted by a person located in a ditch nearby and failed to see a wire situated at the end of the field. The wire struck the helicopter's tail rotor, causing the aircraft to begin an uncontrolled spin.
The pilot immediately reduced power to the engine. Through these corrective actions, the pilot was able to level the helicopter before it ultimately collided with the ground.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to see a wire at the end of the field while distracted by a person in a ditch during the pull-up phase of a spray run.
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