N499BH

On October 13, 2010, about 0800 central daylight time, a single-engine Bell 206B helicopter, N499BH, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff near Newton, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; however, a ground crew member sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Heartland Helicopters Leasing Inc., of Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

According to the pilot, he had landed on a loader truck and remained in the agricultural helicopter while a ground crew added chemical and fuel. After mistakenly thinking that a ground crew member had signaled that it was safe to depart, the pilot lifted the helicopter off the truck only to find that the fuel hose was still attached. The helicopter rolled over to the right and the main rotor blade impacted the ground and one of the ground crew members. The helicopter came to rest on its right side and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The ground crew member was airlifted to a hospital. The pilot later reported that there were no malfunctions or failure with the helicopter’s flight controls or engine.