CEN23LA306

The pilot reported that, while spraying corn about 15 ft above ground level and at an airspeed of about 60 miles per hour, the engine “started to spit and sputter” and then lost total power. He attempted to reduce the airspeed and initiated a flare before colliding with 10 ft tall corn stalks. During the impact with the corn stalks the helicopter’s landing gear skids and tail boom separated and the helicopter bounced off the ground. The helicopter became airborne, traveled about 30 ft, rolled over, and came to rest onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported the helicopter fuel tanks contained about 10 gallons of fuel and an odor of fuel was noted at the accident site. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.

On July 13, 2023, about 1900 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N62RK, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Pocahontas, Illinois. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. According to the pilot, while spraying corn about 15 ft above ground level and at an airspeed of about 60 miles per hour, the engine “started to spit and sputter” and then lost total power. The pilot attempted to reduce the airspeed and initiated a flare before colliding with 10 ft tall corn stalks. During the impact with the corn stalks, the helicopter’s landing gear skids and tail boom separated, and the helicopter bounced off the ground. The helicopter became airborne, traveled about 30 ft, rolled over, and came to rest onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported the helicopter fuel tanks contained about 10 gallons of fuel and an odor of fuel was noted at the accident site. A postaccident examination of the engine was conducted, during which the spark plugs were removed and tested. The engine cylinders were borescoped with no anomalies noted to the cylinders, pistons, and valves. A cold cylinder compression check was completed with cylinder compressions in the normal range. The engine was rotated manually and through battery power to the starter; no anomalies were noted, and mechanical continuity was verified throughout the engine. Both magnetos provided spark when the engine was rotated. The engine fuel lines were checked for looseness and all lines were secured. When the engine component fuel lines were removed, an undocumented amount of fuel was present in the fuel lines and components. The examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.