# Accident 20100714044139A: Continental TOMCAT MK6B, Blackstone, IL, July 14, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 14, 2010, 19:30 local time
- Place: Blackstone, IL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 41.0842° N, 88.6906° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0842&lon=-88.6906&mi=10
- Aircraft: N17H, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B (registry code 2390202, https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk6b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435 series (registry code 41525, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL TOMCAT MK6B
- Reported engine: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 1,038 total, 86 in this make and model, 148 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN10CA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA411) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100714044139A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

HELICOPTER WAS INVOLVED IN AERIAL APPLICATION NEAR BLACKSTONE, IL.  PILOT HAD JUST LOADED THE SPRAY TANK.  HE HAD BURNED 20 MINUTES WORTH OF FUEL OUT OF A FULL (28 GAL.) TANK.  HE SPRAY PATH WAS EAST AND WEST.  HE HAD COMPLETED A LEFT TURN, LEVELED THE HELICOPTER AND TURNED ON THE SPRAY WHEN THE HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO THE CORN.  THE HELICOPTER SLID ABOUT 60 FEET.  AFTER COMING TO REST, THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED A "DUST DEVIL".

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN10CA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA411), Jul 15, 2010: Continental Copters Tomcat MK6B (N17H), Blackstone, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The helicopter encountered a dust devil at a low altitude during the aerial application flight.

## Other reports on N17H (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20160807014169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160807014169A), Aug 7, 2016: Continental Copters Inc. TOMCAT MK6B (N17H), Sparland, IL, Substantial damage. While spraying a field, the pilot pulled up to avoid trees. As he pulled up, he experienced a reduction in power and the aircraft pulled left. He continued the…
- [Accident 19740716024329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740716024329A), Jul 16, 1974: Bell 47D1 (N17H), Loxahatchee, FL, Destroyed. Plt readjustd floodlights due to haze.
- [Accident 19730411014509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730411014509A), Apr 11, 1973: Bell 47D1 (N17H), Arcadia, FL, Substantial damage. Fuel ckd by gnd crew appeared enough. While spraying orange grove eng quit autorotated btwn trees.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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