Accident Overview
An FAA inspector reported that a helicopter involved in agricultural spraying collided with a guy wire while working a field. The helicopter had been dispensing insecticides for about two hours before the accident. After refueling, the pilot departed to finish spraying the remaining corner of the field.
Obstacles in the Field
The field was bordered by a set of power lines on wooden poles, with wires at a height of about 40 feet above ground level. During spray runs, the pilot was flying under these power lines. The last two poles had a one-quarter-inch guy wire strung between them approximately halfway up the poles.
Collision and Damage
On the final pass over the field, the helicopter collided with the guy wire. According to the FAA inspector's examination of the wreckage and witness observations, the wire struck the helicopter between the rotor hub and the swash plate assembly, breaking the pitch change links.
Emergency Landing
After the collision, the pilot was able to regain partial control of the helicopter. The pilot attempted a run-on landing cross furrow in a tomato field located about two miles from the wire strike. During the landing, the helicopter's skids caught on both the plants and the soft furrows, causing the helicopter to tumble to a stop.
Investigation
The FAA inspector based the findings on an inspection of the wreckage and witness observations. No further details about the helicopter, pilot, or injuries were provided in the source.