Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, during an aerial application flight, he initiated a climbing turn, which he thought did not "feel right." He leveled the helicopter, stopped the turn, lowered the collective and added full throttle. The pilot stated that the rpm indication was in the bottom of the green arc. The helicopter began losing altitude and impacted a cornfield. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. The helicopter sustained substantial damage when the main rotor separated a section of its tailboom.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that the helicopter gained altitude and he started a turn during a low level aerial application maneuver. The turning maneuver did not "feel right." He leveled off and stopped the turn. He lowered the collective and added full throttle. The pilot stated that the helicopter's RPMs were in the bottom of the green arc. The helicopter began losing altitude and impacted tall corn. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. The helicopter sustained substantial damage when the main rotor separated a section of its tailboom.