What happened
The helicopter pilot was conducting a local agricultural spray operation, departing from an area characterized by surrounding trees and buildings. Conditions at the time were calm with no wind reported.
During the attempt to depart, the pilot reportedly exhausted all available power. Following this event, the pilot initiated a right turn intended to return to the field. As the helicopter turned, the tail rotor struck a power line that crossed the field near its edge. The impact caused the aircraft to crash in a nose-down attitude.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the departure phase. Examination confirmed that the tail rotor made contact with an overhead power line situated near the perimeter of the takeoff area. This structural failure led directly to the loss of control and the subsequent nose-down impact with the ground.
Findings
Contributing factors included the pilot's decision to operate in a confined area with limited clearance and the proximity of utility infrastructure. The mechanical failure was secondary to the external collision. The primary causal factor was the tail rotor striking a power line during the maneuver.