Incident Overview
An aerial application helicopter experienced a precautionary landing that resulted in a rollover while operating in a cotton field. The pilot reported sensing a decrease in engine power during a chemical application pass and made the decision to land as a precautionary measure.
Landing and Rollover
The landing took place on irregular, wet ground within the cotton field. During the landing, the helicopter's right skid settled into the soft soil, causing the aircraft to tip over onto its right side. The helicopter came to rest on its side.
Pilot Report
In the subsequent report submitted to the safety board, the pilot addressed the section titled "Mechanical Malfunction Failure." In that section, the pilot indicated that no mechanical malfunction had occurred by checking the "no" option.
Observations
The incident occurred as the pilot was attempting to manage a perceived decrease in engine power. The terrain conditions at the landing site were noted as irregular and wet, which contributed to the instability of the helicopter upon touchdown. No further details were provided regarding the specific nature of the power loss or the extent of damage to the helicopter.