What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On July 1, 2008 at approximately 0700 CDT, the pilot of a Bell 47G-B3-1, N8468E, attempted to depart a field with a load of herbicide while conducting 14 CFR 137 operations. On departure the pilot flew over shimmins lake located in hooker county, Nebraska. Once over the water the pilot reported the main rotor RPM began to decay. The pilot made a forced landing in the lake which resulted in both main and tail rotor strikes upon entry into the water. The aircraft came to rest in five foot of water. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON JULY 1, 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 0700 CDT, THE PILOT OF A BELL 47G-B3-1, N8468E, ATTEMPTED TO DEPART A FIELD WITH A LOAD OF HERBICIDE WHILE CONDUCTING 14 CFR 137 OPERATIONS. ON DEPARTURE THE PILOT FLEW OVER SHIMMINS LAKE LOCATED IN HOOKER COUNTY, NEBRASKA. ONCE OVER THE WATER THE PILOT REPORTED THE MAIN ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECAY. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN THE LAKE WHICH RESULTED IN BOTH MAIN AND TAIL ROTOR STRIKES UPON ENTRY INTO THE WATER. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN FIVE FOOT OF WATER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.