NTSB Factual Report

On July 28, 2003, approximately 1230 mountain daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N171FF, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain while maneuvering to reverse direction near Melba, Idaho. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Silverhawk Aviation Inc., of Caldwell, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Caldwell Industrial Airport, Caldwell, Idaho, at 0930.

According to interviews with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, an FAA inspector, and as reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB for 6120.1/2), on July 25, 2003, the pilot was given two flights to demonstrate and evaluate him on helicopter pollination operations. On the day of the accident the pilot was signed off and dispatched to fly 172 acres of corn fields for pollination. The pilot stated that on the final field of the day he was flying from south to north, 2 feet above the corn stalks at 30 knots, when he misjudged his distance to the wires bordering the north side of the field. As he approached the north end of the field he began a climb and a right pedal turn while looking for the wires. The pilot reported that approximately 30 to 40 degrees into the turn he saw the wires at eye level, stopped the pedal turn and applied right forward cyclic. The pilot stated he felt a slight "cyclic shutter" as the aircraft began to sink. He then applied forward cyclic and additional throttle to gain speed and minimize the descent rate. As the aircraft approached the ground the pilot applied aft cyclic to bring the nose up and "pumped the collective" to stop the descent. The aircraft's right skid impacted the corn, causing the nose of the aircraft to veer right as the aircraft pitched forward hitting the ground and coming to rest on its left side. The pilot reported that he then turned off the master switch, shut off the fuel, and egressed the helicopter uninjured. There was no post-impact fire.

An FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported that the tail boom had been cut through and was substantially damaged. He also reported that all main rotor blades were bent, the right skid was broken, and the tail rotor drive shaft had separated from the aircraft.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to his failure to maintain rotor rpm. Factors contributing to the accident were the corn crop, and the pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid obstacles.