Incident Overview
A helicopter pilot was conducting pesticide spraying operations over a lake when the aircraft struck the water and overturned. The pilot reported that weather conditions at the time were overcast skies with calm winds.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, the spraying runs were conducted from east to west and west to east, covering approximately one mile each. The pilot maintained an altitude between 50 and 200 feet above the water and a speed of about 30 miles per hour. The lake surface was described as glassy, which made altitude judgment difficult. During the operation, the pilot flew into the water, causing the helicopter to flip over.
Operational Details
The pilot stated that he was finishing his 14th takeoff and landing for the day at the time of the accident. He reported no mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the incident.