NTSB Factual Report

The pilot was on his third aerial application pass when he momentarily glanced over at his global positioning system (GPS) and the left spray boom struck the ground. The pilot said the spray boom wiggled back and forth before it folded back into the tail boom. The helicopter then began to spin to the right and he initiated an autorotation. The helicopter landed hard but remained upright. Examination of the helicopter revealed the spray boom, tail rotor and tail rotor gear box had completely separated from the airframe. The fuselage and main rotor blades were also damaged. The operator reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot did not maintain clearance from terrain during a low-level aerial application flight and lost control of the helicopter.