Accident Details
On June 9, 2016, at about 1630 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-5 helicopter, registration N6203N, was substantially damaged during a loss of control while conducting agricultural spraying operations near Laurels, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The helicopter impacted a tree and the ground, resulting in damage to the fuselage, landing gear, and main rotor system. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Hendrickson Flying Service, Inc. under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not on a flight plan. The local flight originated at an unconfirmed time.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that while making a spray pass, he pulled on the collective control, and the rotor speed dropped. He lowered the collective, applied maximum throttle, and pulled on the collective again, but the rotor speed continued to decrease. He then attempted a landing in a yard next to a house. During the landing attempt, the tail boom struck a tree, and the helicopter came to rest on its right side.
Witness Statement
A witness, an experienced agricultural helicopter pilot who had flown with the accident pilot for about 12 hours in the accident helicopter, stated that the accident pilot's previous experience was in turbine-powered helicopters with governed throttles. The witness had flown with him to familiarize him with managing the throttle on the piston-engine Bell 47, which lacked a throttle governor. The witness was watching the accident pilot perform spraying operations. He observed the pilot make a downwind pass in a tight area, with the helicopter entering and exiting the field quickly. When the pilot pulled up for trees at the end of the pass, the witness heard the engine "bog down." He believed that the pilot had pulled collective without adding throttle.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the helicopter and a satisfactory test run of the engine disclosed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have prevented normal operations.