Accident Overview
On July 29, 2013, at approximately 0615 central daylight time, a Texas Helicopter Corp. OH-13H/M74A (registration N10009) collided with high vegetation and terrain during an aerial application flight near Streator, Illinois. The commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its airframe. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Hendrickson Flying Service Inc. under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual flight rules prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The flight had departed from Toluca, Illinois around 0530.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he was spraying a "J" shaped field and had finished a long swath. He then turned the helicopter to the south to finish a small section of the field. After completing the turn, he was about 10 to 15 feet above the corn in level flight. He checked the helicopter's light bar, a navigation aid used by pilots to fly on an indicated swath path. The pilot stated that the helicopter was about 10 to 15 seconds from entering the section to be sprayed when he "saw corn in the windshield" and the helicopter rolled upside down, subsequently coming to rest on its left side.
Weather
At 0555, recorded weather at Pontiac Municipal Airport near Pontiac, Illinois, was: wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 10 degrees C; dew point 9 degrees C; altimeter 30.11 inches of mercury.
Postaccident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. No mechanical malfunctions were detected during the helicopter's postaccident examination.