Bell 205A-1 crash near Mação, Portugal

A Bell 205A-1 was one of three helicopters drawing water from a small irrigation dam at Carvoeira, Mação, during a forest fire. On the final approach the pilot saw the master caution light illuminate during the flare, found the cyclic very heavy, and got no response from the collective. The helicopter struck the ground nose down and rolled onto its right side. The pilot suffered minor injuries and the helicopter was probably a total loss. A witness reported hearing a bang as it turned on to final.