2023 Bell 206-L-4 Agricultural Spraying Accident Near Springfield, Ohio (N652HA)

Accident Overview and Flight History On July 29, 2023, at approximately 1206 eastern standard time, a Bell 206-L-4 helicopter, registration N652HA, was involved in an accident near Springfield, Ohio. The aircraft was conducting an agricultural spraying operation under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The pilot departed from an off-airport location at about 1152 and flew eastbound toward Springfield to spray a cluster of corn fields located south of Interstate 70. A ground crew was scheduled to meet the pilot at another off-field location later in the day. While driving to the rendezvous point, the ground crew was stopped in traffic on the interstate adjacent to the spraying area. A supervisor contacted the ground crew after noticing that the helicopter's flight information had disappeared from a commercial flight tracking website. The ground crew attempted to contact the pilot via radio and telephone but received no response. They observed that the traffic delay was caused by a downed powerline and notified another company pilot operating nearby to conduct an aerial search. The pilot located the accident helicopter in the cornfield south of the interstate, near a set of powerlines. ## Wreckage and Powerline Impact The helicopter came to rest in a cornfield approximately 150 feet east of a set of four high-tension powerlines that ran northeast-southwest through the field and over Interstate 70. The middle two powerline wires, which were about 75 to 100 feet tall, were severed, while the top and bottom wires remained undamaged. ADS-B data indicated that the helicopter made an initial pass over the cornfield on an easterly heading, crossed over the powerlines, then made a right turn and flew northeast along the length of the powerlines. The helicopter made several east-west passes over the cornfield and powerlines before the data ended at 1206:39. At that time, the helicopter was on an easterly track at an altitude of 1,079 feet mean sea level, or about 34 feet above ground level, approximately 0.26 miles west of the powerlines. The helicopter was also equipped with an AG-Nav GUIA Platinum console, which recorded the flight track and sprayer activation. The last data point was recorded at 1206:26 when the helicopter was in its last turn to the east before impacting the powerline wires. At that time, the sprayer was turned off. ## Pilot and Meteorological Information The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate for rotorcraft-helicopter. His last FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on April 8, 2023. According to the operator, the pilot had accrued a total of about 5,166 flight hours, of which 400 hours were in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. Weather reported at Springfield/Beckley Municipal Airport (SGH), about 10 miles southwest of the accident site, at 1133, was wind from 280 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 19 knots. Visibility was 10 statute miles with broken clouds at 2,800 feet. The temperature was 26 degrees Celsius, the dewpoint was 20 degrees Celsius, and the barometric altimeter setting was 29.99 inches of mercury. ## Wreckage Examination The helicopter came to rest on its right side oriented on a heading of about 360 degrees at an approximate field elevation of 1,045 feet mean sea level. All major components of the helicopter were accounted for at the accident site. Pieces of the spray boom and upper windshield were found along the wreckage path. The tail boom had separated near the aft portion of the fuselage and was found forward of the main wreckage. A 3-foot section of both main rotor blades remained attached to the main rotor mast, with the remainder found co-located with the fuselage. The main rotor blades exhibited a variety of gouges, knicks, and creases. The helicopter's bottom wire strike protection unit was largely free from impact damage and scraping. The top wire strike protection unit was bent over to the left with some areas of scraping observed. Both skids remained attached to the fuselage and sustained impact-related damage. Several scratches and gouges were observed at multiple locations along the fuselage and skids, and scratching was observed on the main rotor mast. The right cyclic remained attached, while the left cyclic was not installed. When the cyclic was moved by hand in all directions, applicable push rod linkage movement was observed at the main rotor mast. The tail rotor pedals remained intact, and when moved by hand, the respective push rods moved at the tail boom area. The collective had broken from its attachment area consistent with impact damage. When a rod was re-inserted at the collective attachment area and moved by hand, movement was observed at the swashplate. The tail rotor drive shaft was broken consistent with impact, with the fractured section near the engine pulled aft from its gear attachment area. Within the separated tail boom section, control continuity and drive shaft continuity were observed to the tail rotor. The tail rotor blades remained attached and displayed minimal impact damage. The fuel tank was intact, and a significant amount of fuel remained in the tank. A fuel sample showed the fuel was absent of debris and water. No mechanical deficiencies or malfunctions were observed that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter at the time of the accident. ## Medical and Pathological Information An autopsy on the pilot was conducted by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office. The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing completed by the FAA's Toxicology Laboratory was negative for all specimens tested.