Incident Overview
A helicopter conducting agricultural operations experienced a loss of engine power during an aerial application flight. According to the operator, the pilot was distracted during a planned refueling procedure prior to the accident flight. The distraction occurred when ground personnel entered the helicopter cabin after landing to discuss the upcoming spraying operation with the pilot. Following this conversation, the pilot departed without completing the refueling.
Sequence of Events
While the helicopter was performing an aerial application, the engine suffered a loss of power. The pilot initiated an autorotation in an attempt to land safely, but the helicopter subsequently impacted terrain.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail boom was partially separated, and the landing gear skids were bent. The operator reported that approximately 3.5 quarts of fuel were drained from the fuel tanks after the accident. It was noted that 2 gallons of fuel were considered unusable.
Fuel Status
The operator confirmed that the helicopter had not been refueled between flights due to the pilot's distraction. The usable fuel remaining at the time of the accident was insufficient to support continued flight, leading to the engine power loss.