Incident Overview
During an agricultural spraying operation over a tomato field, the pilot of a helicopter encountered a partial loss of engine power while at a low elevation above ground level. In response, the pilot initiated an autorotative landing to manage the descent.
Hard Landing and Tail Boom Separation
The helicopter touched down hard on the field. During the landing sequence, a main rotor blade struck and severed the tail boom. The engine continued to operate for an additional 10 to 12 minutes following the landing.
Post-Accident Examination
Wreckage examination was limited due to the extent of fire damage that occurred. Investigators were unable to determine the reason for the partial loss of engine power.
Conclusion
The investigation concluded that the cause of the power loss could not be identified due to the fire damage and limited evidence available.