# NTSB CEN10CA411: Continental Copters Tomcat MK6B, N17H, Blackstone, IL, July 15, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2010, 19:30 local (Jul 15, 2010, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Blackstone, IL - Coordinates: 41.084167, -88.690551 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0842&lon=-88.6906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-DPA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76684 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA411 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76684/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76684 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA411 ## Probable cause The helicopter encountered a dust devil at a low altitude during the aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=2390202), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2390202), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2390202), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2390202), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was spraying a corn field during the aerial application flight when the accident occurred. He made a turn at the end of a swath run and was leveling out five feet above the corn when the helicopter encountered a dust devil. The helicopter descended into the corn in a level attitude. ## Factual narrative The pilot was spraying a corn field during the aerial application flight when the accident occurred. He made a turn at the end of a swath run and was leveling out five feet above the corn when the helicopter encountered a dust devil. The helicopter descended into the corn in a level attitude, resulting in substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17H), registered now, S/N 13, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL COPTERS TOMCAT MK6B - Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk6b) (registry code 2390202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 13 - Airframe hours: 10668 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hendrickson Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Hendrickson Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 11, 2010, 115 hours before - Departed: Blackstone, IL - Destination: Blackstone, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 1,038 total, 176 in this make and model, 922 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: VYS, 30 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100714044139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100714044139A), Jul 14, 2010: Continental TOMCAT MK6B, Blackstone, IL, Destroyed. 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… ## Other investigations on N17H (2) 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 CEN16CA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16CA321), Aug 7, 2016: Continental Copters Tomcat MK6B (N17H), Sparland, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing. - [NTSB MIA92T#A01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92T%23A01), Jun 25, 1992: Continental Copters Tomcat MK6B (N17H), Punta Gorda, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76684. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 975 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Wreckage Diagram (FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 304 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram%20(FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.