What happened
On August 23, 2024, at approximately 13:30 CDT, an Arrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A helicopter, registration N199BD, was involved in an accident near Newton, Texas. The aircraft was operating as an aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137.
The accident occurred during a hot-loading operation, where the pilot was attempting to land on a load truck platform to replenish liquid chemical herbicide while the engine was running. The load truck operator reported that the pilot had successfully completed approximately 20 landings on the platform earlier that day. During the subject landing, the helicopter landed too far forward on the platform, striking an L-bracket stop rail. This caused the helicopter to roll off the rear of the truck and impact the ground in an inverted position.
The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury, and the load truck operator, who was knocked off the back of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries.