10 Jul 2016: BELL OH 58 A

10 Jul 2016: BELL OH 58 A — Unknown operator

No fatalities • Surprise, AZ, United States

Probable cause

While at a low altitude, the pilot's decision to do an abrupt descending right downwind turn which resulted in flying through his own vortices and an impact with terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot of an aerial application helicopter reported that after spraying a field he noticed that he missed a portion of the field. The pilot further reported that he maneuvered at a low altitude to the south end of the field, made a quick right turn to the north, dove into the field at approximately 45 knots, flew into his own vortices, and impacted the terrain.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • cause Altitude — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Effect on operation
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 170/10kt, vis 10sm

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