What happened
The pilot was operating a helicopter in the vicinity of an airport, utilizing a fast hover to reposition the aircraft. During this maneuver, the pilot initiated a simulated agricultural turn while maintaining a low altitude. As the rotation occurred, the left spray boom and the tail rotor blades made contact with the ground surface. This impact caused the helicopter to begin spinning uncontrollably. In response to the loss of control, the pilot reduced the throttle input. The aircraft subsequently settled onto the ground in a hard landing.
Findings
The incident was directly linked to the proximity of rotating and projecting components to the terrain during low-altitude operations. The contact between the spray boom and tail rotor with the ground resulted in the loss of directional control and the subsequent impact.
Safety message
Pilots conducting low-level agricultural maneuvers or repositioning flights must maintain strict awareness of aircraft dimensions relative to the ground, particularly when utilizing spray booms or operating near the ground with tail rotors engaged.