On May 16, 2000, a Bell UH-1H (registration N52AG) was involved in an aviation accident near Frenchville, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Foreign object damage to the compressor and turbine sections of the engine, which resulted in a loss of power. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter on its fourth spray mission of the day crashed minutes after takeoff in a wooded area. Damage indicated low rotor rpm at impact, and engine examination found aluminum contamination of unknown origin.
Accident Overview
A helicopter conducting agricultural spraying operations crashed a few minutes after takeoff in a wooded area. The accident occurred during the pilot's 51st spray mission of the season, and the fourth mission of the day. Earlier, the helicopter had returned from its third mission and was refueled and reloaded before departing. Weather conditions at the time were clear.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the main rotor and tail rotor blades revealed damage consistent with low rotor rpm at impact. The transmission showed no evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions. Inspection of the engine found that the compressor and turbine sections had been exposed to a large amount of aluminum from an unknown source prior to the helicopter striking trees.