FARMINGTON, CA, USA
N59403
BELL 47G-5A
THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED DURING A PROCEDURE TURNAROUND AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS DISPENSING LIQUID FERTILIZER. THE HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO SOFT TERRAIN AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE HELICOPTER THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE'S AIR FILTER DISCLOSED EVIDENCE OF LIQUID FERTILIZER CLOGGING THE FILTER.
THE CONTAMINATION OF THE ENGINE INDUCTION AIR FILTER. SOFT TERRAIN DURING THE TOUCHDOWN WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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