The commercial pilot was maneuvering the helicopter over a rice field when the tail rotor “dipped into the rice causing it to fail.” As a result, he lost control of the helicopter and it impacted the ground hard, causing the main rotor blade to flex and sever the tail boom. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot said, “There is very little margin for error and no time to correct with the ground so close. There is a reason why operating in the shaded area is discouraged.” He also reported there were no mechanical deficiencies.
July 25, 2008, Rosharon, Texas, Robinson R22
The commercial pilot was maneuvering the helicopter over a rice field when the tail rotor "dipped into the rice causing it to fail." As a result, he lost control of the helicopter and it impacted the ground hard, causing the main rotor blade to flex and sever the tail boom.
Key Takeaways:
- A commercial helicopter crashed due to its tail rotor contacting a rice field during low-altitude maneuvering, leading to a loss of control and the severing of the tail boom.
- The pilot attributed the accident to the minimal margin for error and inherent dangers of operating close to the ground ("shaded area"), confirming no mechanical deficiencies.
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