What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On June 24, 2013 N407FK a 1989 Bell jet ranger helicopter received substantial damage as the result of an accident while drying cherries. The pilot was transported to a hospital with back injuries.
The accident occurred at 07:27 PDT after a take off time of 05:15. Interviews confirm the the helicopter was topped off with jet-a fuel prior to the flight.
In an interview with the pilot at the hospital he stated; "this accident was 100% pilot error". He added that he had become distracted due to another helicopter entering the orchard to dry cherries on a common VHF frequency of 123.45. While looking for the other helicopter, N407FK inadvertantly descended into and became entangled in the bird netting suspended over the cherry trees. This net is about 20 feet off the ground.
According to the pilot he was flying at an altitude of 5 feet over the net drying cherries prior to the accident.
As the FAA filed it
ON JUNE 24, 2013 N407FK A 1989 BELL JET RANGER HELICOPTER RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AS THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRYING CHERRIES. THE PILOT WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL WITH BACK INJURIES.
THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 07:27 PDT AFTER A TAKE OFF TIME OF 05:15. INTERVIEWS CONFIRM THE THE HELICOPTER WAS TOPPED OFF WITH JET-A FUEL PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.
IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PILOT AT THE HOSPITAL HE STATED; "THIS ACCIDENT WAS 100% PILOT ERROR". HE ADDED THAT HE HAD BECOME DISTRACTED DUE TO ANOTHER HELICOPTER ENTERING THE ORCHARD TO DRY CHERRIES ON A COMMON VHF FREQUENCY OF 123.45. WHILE LOOKING FOR THE OTHER HELICOPTER, N407FK INADVERTANTLY DESCENDED INTO AND BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE BIRD NETTING SUSPENDED OVER THE CHERRY TREES. THIS NET IS ABOUT 20 FEET OFF THE GROUND.
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE WAS FLYING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 5 FEET OVER THE NET DRYING CHERRIES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.