Accident Overview
On October 13, 2010, at approximately 0800 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, registration N499BH, sustained substantial damage during a loss of control while taking off from a loader truck near Newton, Texas. The helicopter, single-engine, was being operated by Heartland Helicopters Leasing Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 for aerial application. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, who was the sole occupant and was not injured, he had landed the helicopter on a loader truck and remained onboard while ground crew members added chemicals and fuel. The pilot mistakenly believed that a ground crew member had signaled that it was safe to depart. As he lifted the helicopter off the truck, he discovered that the fuel hose was still attached. The helicopter then rolled over to the right, causing the main rotor blade to strike the ground and a ground crew member. The ground crew member sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital.
Post-Accident Status
The helicopter came to rest on its right side. The pilot exited the aircraft unassisted. He later reported that there were no malfunctions or failures with the helicopter's flight controls or engine. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter.