What happened
The pilot was operating an agricultural helicopter engaged in crop dusting operations. After completing the spraying of a designated field, the pilot initiated a return flight to retrieve additional fuel from a support vehicle, commonly referred to as a nurse truck.
While approximately 200 feet above ground level (AGL), the aircraft's engine ceased operation. In response to the power loss, the pilot attempted to maneuver the helicopter toward an open cornfield for an emergency landing. During this evasive maneuver, the pilot lost rotor revolutions per minute (RPM) while attempting to avoid obstacles in the terrain.
The helicopter subsequently landed hard on the ground. The impact resulted in significant structural damage to the airframe. Following the accident, investigators drained one pint of fuel from the aircraft's fuel system, indicating a critically low fuel state prior to the event.
The investigation
Post-acc examination revealed that the pilot reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to or during the flight. This suggests that the engine failure was not caused by a pre-existing mechanical defect but rather by the depletion of the fuel supply.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was fuel exhaustion. The pilot failed to ensure adequate fuel reserves for the return trip to the nurse truck, resulting in an in-flight shutdown. Contributing to the severity of the outcome was the loss of rotor RPM during the emergency maneuver, which prevented a controlled landing.
Safety message
Pilots conducting agricultural operations must carefully calculate fuel requirements for both the spraying mission and the necessary trips to the nurse truck. It is critical to monitor fuel levels continuously and plan return flights well before reaching critical reserves to avoid in-flight engine shutdowns.