Accident
On June 24, 2013, at approximately 0740 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, registered as N407FK, sustained substantial damage during cherry tree drying operations near Royal City, Washington. The helicopter was owned by Wilber-Ellis Company and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was the sole occupant and was seriously injured.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he was drying a cherry tree field covered in netting, flying in a south-to-north pattern. The northern end of the field was at a higher elevation than the southern end. The pilot was flying as close as possible to the cherry trees and noticed that the helicopter's skid was closer to the netting than anticipated. Before he could adjust, the skid hooked the netting. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled and struck the ground inverted.
Additional Information
The pilot reported feeling fatigued during the accident flight. He also stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operations.