Incident Details
A helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power while maneuvering at low altitude during an aerial application flight. The pilot executed a forced landing in an open field, which was hard and caused the aircraft to bounce. Following the bounce, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom.
Sequence of Events
The accident occurred during the third aerial application flight of the day. For the first flight, the pilot had refueled with 25 gallons of fuel, and the helicopter was carrying a full load of insecticide. On the second flight, the pilot took on only insecticide. For the third (accident) flight, the pilot again took on only insecticide. The pilot reported that his normal procedure is to refuel on the second flight, which he did not do. He stated that with 25 gallons of fuel on board, he could fly for about 20 minutes with a 10-minute reserve. The pilot acknowledged that he should have refueled after the second application but failed to do so, leading to fuel exhaustion.
Findings
No mechanical anomalies were reported with the helicopter.