Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance from a dead tree limb during an aerial application flight.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During an aerial application flight, the helicopter was climbing out from a spray pass along a narrow field when the tail rotor hit a dead tree limb. The helicopter started spinning to the right, entered an uncontrolled descent, and impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and fuselage. The pilot and operator reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.