What happened
The pilot reported that the helicopter was engaged in agricultural spraying operations when the accident occurred. During a turn, the tail of the aircraft struck a tree. The impact caused the helicopter to roll onto its left side. Despite the collision, the engine continued to operate immediately after the incident.
Following the rollover, a grass fire erupted at the site of the accident. The fire resulted in the total destruction of the helicopter. The pilot later reflected on the circumstances, stating that he should not have been in too big of a hurry during the maneuver.
The investigation
The investigation relied primarily on the pilot's statement regarding the sequence of events. No mechanical failure was identified as the initial cause; rather, the accident was attributed to the aircraft striking an obstacle during low-level operations.
Findings
- tree strike during a turn while conducting spraying operations
- The helicopter rolled onto its left side with the engine still operating
- A grass fire erupted and destroyed the helicopter
- Pilot error related to speed or haste during the maneuver