Bell 206-B Helicopter Accident in Cuevas de Almanzora (EC-FHX)

Accident Overview and Location On Friday, January 16, 2009, at 11:30 local time, a Bell 206-B helicopter with registration EC-FHX crashed in Cuevas de Almanzora, Almería, Spain. The aircraft was operated by Rotorsun, S. L., and was equipped with a single Allison 250-C20 engine. The accident occurred during a commercial agricultural operation involving low-altitude spraying work on a farm in the municipality. ## Circumstances and Damage According to the pilot, the helicopter had completed a first flight and was taking off for a second pass. At an altitude of approximately 2 meters above the ground and 30 meters from the loading point, a plastic sheet used to cover crops was lifted by the rotor downwash. The sheet wrapped around the main rotor mast, blocking the engine's air intake and causing an engine stoppage. The aircraft subsequently crashed, resulting in a hard landing. The pilot, a 50-year-old commercial helicopter pilot with 3,000 total flight hours and 1,200 hours on type, was uninjured and exited the aircraft on his own power. The helicopter sustained significant damage to the main rotor and landing gear. Additionally, the tail rotor transmission shaft broke due to the impact of a main rotor blade with the tail cone. No other persons were injured, and no other damage was reported. ## Investigation Findings and Recommendations The investigation confirmed that the pilot had extensive experience in this type of operation. It was deemed unlikely that the pilot could have foreseen the rotor downwash lifting a plastic sheet that appeared to be folded and weighted down like the others. The company's operations manual detailed agroforestry operations but did not specify which tasks might require ground support personnel. The investigation recommended that crews or ground support personnel conduct thorough terrain reconnaissance before such operations to prevent objects from being affected by rotor downwash, and that this procedure be incorporated into the company's operations manual.