What happened
The accident occurred while the helicopter was on final approach to land. During this phase of flight, the right spray boom struck a metal fence post. This impact resulted in an immediate loss of control of the aircraft.
Following the initial collision, the helicopter continued its descent and collided with terrain. Prior to hitting the ground, the main rotor blades impacted nearby power lines. The pilot later reported that he had not seen the fence post at the time of the incident. He stated that the helicopter's windscreen was obscured by chemical spray, which likely contributed to his inability to see the obstacle.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the loss of control. The physical evidence confirmed that the right spray boom made contact with a metal fence post. Subsequent examination revealed that the main rotor blades had struck power lines located near the final impact site.
The pilot provided a statement regarding the sequence of events. He indicated that the windscreen was covered in chemical spray during the operation. This obstruction prevented him from seeing the fence post until after the boom had already made contact.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the accident. The primary cause was the pilot's failure to see and avoid a metal fence post during final approach. This failure was directly linked to the windscreen being obscured by chemical spray. The impact with the fence post caused the loss of control, which led to the subsequent collision with power lines and terrain.
The use of agricultural spraying equipment created a hazardous condition when visibility through the windscreen was compromised. The pilot's inability to maintain visual reference with the ground and obstacles resulted in the fatal outcome.