Accident Overview
On February 4, 2021, about 0015 eastern standard time, a Bell 206B helicopter (registration N820H) was destroyed when it impacted terrain and caught fire near Pahokee, Florida. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 agricultural flight.
Flight History
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to fly at low level above crops, using the helicopter's downwash to prevent freezing. After approximately 2 hours of low-level maneuvering, the pilot heard a "chirp" with no corresponding caution panel lights. He scanned the instruments and did not immediately observe anything abnormal. Subsequently, the low rotor horn sounded, and the helicopter began losing altitude as rotor speed decayed. The pilot briefly observed a red engine light on the instrument panel.
The pilot initiated an autorotation from an altitude of about 50 ft and a forward airspeed of about 35 knots. The helicopter landed hard on uneven terrain and rolled over. After coming to rest, a post-crash fire ensued. The pilot and passenger egressed without injury. The pilot reported that about 60 minutes of fuel remained at the time of the accident.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the fuselage, landing skids, engine, and transmission were located at the main wreckage site, with a portion of the tail boom assembly and a rotor blade found separate from the main wreckage. Significant portions of the helicopter were consumed by the post-impact fire, and the engine and transmission assembly sustained thermal damage. Control continuity could not be established to the main rotor or tail rotor due to impact- and thermal-related damage. The fuel system was consumed by the fire, preventing confirmation of its operation and condition during flight.
The engine and its components were recovered and examined at the manufacturer. The examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation; however, the examination was limited due to the extent of thermal and impact damage sustained during the accident.