BELL 206B near Verona, IL — 2022-07-18

Final reportCEN22LA323

Date: 2022-07-18
Location: Verona, IL, USA
Aircraft: BELL 206B
Registration: N6BU
Category: Helicopter
Highest injury: None
Fatalities: 0
Phase of flight: Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A loss of rotor rpm for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

Before departure, the helicopter was loaded with about 30 gallons of fuel and 80 gallons of spray product. After takeoff from a load truck, the pilot received a low rotor alarm and the helicopter began to sink. He performed an autorotation and the helicopter bounced upon landing. The tailboom was severed by the main rotor blades which resulted in substantial damage. During a postaccident examination and engine test run, no anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of rotor rpm could not be determined based on the available evidence.