Aviation Accident Summary CHI04CA180

Clear Lake, MN, USA

Aircraft #1

N10009

Texas Helicopter M-74

Analysis

A helicopter sustained substantial damage while attempting to land on a truck pad that was positioned in a field. The pilot reported he was starting to spray his fourth field when he observed that the fuel gauge on the helicopter was close to the "low/danger area." He returned to the truck to refuel. As he was approaching the truck pad for landing, "the helicopter started to settle and in spite of forward cyclic and full power, rotor RPM started to decay." He was not able to get the skids all the way on the pad and the helicopter fell backwards off the truck pad. The helicopter rolled to the right and nosed into the ground. It spun around and ended up facing the truck with its engine still running. The pilot shut down the helicopter and exited the aircraft.

Factual Information

On July 9, 2004, at 1530 central daylight time, a Texas Helicopter, M-74, N10009, sustained substantial damage while attempting to land on a truck pad that was positioned in a field near Waubun, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was returning to refuel on the truck pad. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was starting to spray his fourth field when he observed that the fuel gauge on the helicopter was close to the "low/danger area." He returned to the truck to refuel. He reported that as he was approaching the truck for landing, "the helicopter started to settle and in spite of forward cyclic and full power, rotor RPM started to decay." He reported that he was not able to get the skids all the way on the pad and the helicopter fell backwards off the truck pad. The pilot reported that the helicopter rolled to the right and nosed into the ground. It spun around and ended up facing the truck with its engine still running. The pilot shut down the helicopter and exited the aircraft.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot failed to maintain a proper glidepath to the landing zone. A factor was the truck pad.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports