Incident Overview
A helicopter operated under a rental agreement by a sheriff's department for surveillance and rescue missions experienced an in-flight emergency shortly after reaching a cruise altitude of 500 feet above ground level. The aircraft had all doors removed for its mission. The pilot reported hearing a loud bang and feeling a severe vibration throughout the airframe. He initiated a 180-degree autorotation with power toward a clear area in an almond orchard.
Landing and Rollover
During the landing flare, the helicopter began a right spin when the pilot applied collective pitch. The pilot immediately rolled off the power, and the helicopter landed hard, subsequently rolling over.
Witness Account
A ground witness observed the helicopter nearly overhead and reported seeing a cloth-like object exit the helicopter and fly back toward the tail. The helicopter then descended rapidly while turning 180 degrees until it disappeared behind trees.
Post-Accident Findings
Before takeoff, an observer had placed a nomex flight suit under bags tied down in the rear compartment. After the accident, examination of the helicopter and the accident site revealed that the flight suit was unaccounted for and could not be located. Several days later, a search party discovered a shredded nomex flight suit in the orchard not far from the accident site and back along the helicopter's flight path.