20110618012569A

Agricultural helicopter N24HM landed on top of the service vehicle to be serviced with fuel and product by the vehicle driver. Fuel was reportedly added to 25 gallons total and the spray tanks were serviced with tank cleaner to a quantity indicating 70 gallons of water and cleaning solution. The pilot reported that immediately after takeoff, the rotor and engine RPM began to drop. The pilot reported that he selected a landing area and began an approach to land. A deceleration flare was initiated to slow the aircraft and arrest the descent. The tail stinger drug on the ground for approximately 3 feet until the heals of the skids contacted the ground. As the aircraft slid, the toes of the skids sank into the soft soil and the aircraft began to pitch over. The pilot compensated with aft cyclic and the main rotor contacted the tail boom assembly, causing substantial damage. The pilot reportedly rolled off the throttle, pulled the mixture control to cut off the engine, and turned off the battery, alternator, and magnetos. After the rotors stopped turning, the pilot exited the aircraft without injury. Due to the service vehicle being parked on an incline, the spray tank was estimated to have been serviced with 90 to 95 gallons of water and cleaning solution. This may have placed the aircraft to be in an overweight condition.