Jul 16, 2018
Accident
Substantial New Castle, IN
InjuriesNone
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 137
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to ensure that the fill hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in the fill hose striking the tail rotor and the subsequent loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was inadequate communication between the ground crewman and the pilot.
NTSB GAA18CA424