Bell 206 N173MS accident near Big Pine, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while it was being reloaded with the rotors turning in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a rotor strike with ground equipment.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, after the fourth aerial application flight of the day, he landed and positioned the helicopter near the autoloader boom truck. He reduced engine power to flight idle, and the ground crew began the loading process. He verified that the collective position was full down and the cyclic friction was on, and he then exited the helicopter to stretch while maintaining one hand on the cyclic. The pilot reported that, immediately after, while standing next to the helicopter, he heard two "loud bangs." He immediately boarded the helicopter, the ground crew secured the truck's boom, and the pilot shut down the engine.

Examination revealed that a main rotor blade had struck the truck's boom arm and that the main rotor blades sustained substantial damage.

The director of aerial operations reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA209 for the full record.