Accident Overview
On November 10, 2016, at approximately 2345 mountain standard time, a Bell 206B3 helicopter, registration N914HH, rolled from an elevated landing pad mounted on a truck and collided with the ground near Yuma, Arizona. The helicopter, operated by Morris Flying Service L.L.C., was engaged in a night agricultural application flight under 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries, and the helicopter incurred substantial damage.
Sequence of Events
The pilot had been applying chemicals to adjacent fields and had completed four loads. He was returning to the landing pad, which was positioned atop a box truck, to reload. While maneuvering to land on the pad, the right skid of the helicopter snagged on an access hole used by ground personnel for refilling the chemical load. Unaware of the snag, the pilot attempted to lift the right skid to reposition the aircraft. This action caused the helicopter to dynamically roll over off the right rear of the truck and fall to the ground.
Flight Conditions
The accident occurred under visual meteorological conditions at night. No flight plan had been filed. The helicopter had departed the landing area about 10 minutes before the accident.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The commercial pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation. The helicopter was a Bell 206B3, and the pilot was the only occupant.