Merced, CA, USA
N915B
BELL 206B
On June 24, 2022, at 0905 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206 helicopter, N915B, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Merced, California. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 agricultural flight. The pilot reported that he had just performed a 180° turn and was on the spray run, about six feet above ground level (agl), when he felt a vibration. He then felt a “snap” and the helicopter began to rotate left. He applied right pedal and started an autorotation in an attempt to decrease the airspeed. He attempted to perform a run-on landing in the tall corn. Upon touchdown, the helicopter rolled up on its nose and the main rotor blades severed the tail boom. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. The KAflex driveshaft was separated and there were several sheared bolts and pieces of the KAflex located underneath the engine. The parts were retained for further examination.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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