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July 8, 2024 · Bell 206L-3 · N206WX

Thorntown, IN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 8, 2024
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Thorntown, IN
Aircraft
Bell 206L-3 (1982)
Tail Number
N206WX
Operator
Vertical Vegetation Management
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN24LA259

The pilot was conducting agricultural flight operations in a helicopter using a truck and trailer as a refueling/loading base. Before the takeoff, the helicopter was reloaded with fungicide and fuel while on the truck trailer. The pilot inadvertently departed with the agricultural load hose still connected to the helicopter. The pilot reported that the helicopter yawed suddenly after liftoff, due to the connected load hose, which he perceived as a loss of engine power. The pilot made an immediate hard landing in an adjacent cornfield, during which the main rotor system deflected down and struck the tail. The tailboom and vertical fins were substantially damaged during the hard landing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot opined that the accident might have been prevented with the use of a checklist, better radio communication with the ground crew, and the use of a breakaway fitting on the load hose.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the load hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control after liftoff and a hard landing.

Full Narrative

The pilot was conducting agricultural flight operations in a helicopter using a truck and trailer as a refueling/loading base. Before the takeoff, the helicopter was reloaded with fungicide and fuel while on the truck trailer. The pilot inadvertently departed with the agricultural load hose still connected to the helicopter. The pilot reported that the helicopter yawed suddenly after liftoff, due to the connected load hose, which he perceived as a loss of engine power. The pilot made an immediate hard landing in an adjacent cornfield, during which the main rotor system deflected down and struck the tail. The tailboom and vertical fins were substantially damaged during the hard landing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot opined that the accident might have been prevented with the use of a checklist, better radio communication with the ground crew, and the use of a breakaway fitting on the load hose.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-3
Tail NumberN206WX
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorVertical Vegetation Management
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 650
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data