# NTSB CEN24LA259: Bell 206L-3, N206WX, Thorntown, IN, July 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 8, 2024, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Thorntown, IN · Cornfield - Coordinates: 40.125314, -86.563256 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1253&lon=-86.5633&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Indianapolis FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 194656 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA259 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194656/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194656 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA259 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ensure that the load hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control after liftoff and a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Equipment/furnishings: agricultural/external load sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022551): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022551/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022551/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting agricultural flight operations in a helicopter using a truck and trailer as a refueling/loading base. Before the takeoff, the helicopter was reloaded with fungicide and fuel while on the truck trailer. The pilot inadvertently departed with the agricultural load hose still connected to the helicopter. The pilot reported that the helicopter yawed suddenly after liftoff, due to the connected load hose, which he perceived as a loss of engine power. The pilot made an immediate hard landing in an adjacent cornfield, during which the main rotor system deflected down and struck the tail. The tailboom and vertical fins were substantially damaged during the hard landing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot opined that the accident might have been prevented with the use of a checklist, better radio communication with the ground crew, and the use of a breakaway fitting on the load hose. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N206WX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N206WX), registered now, S/N 51038, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3 - Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 51038 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 10133 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Vertical Vegetation Management, LLC - Registered owner: KW Air, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 2024, 7 hours before - Departed: Thorntown, IN - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 19, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 9,805.3 total, 200 in this make and model, 9,679.4 as pilot in command, 53.5 in the last 90 days, 21.6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: TYQ, 15 nm away - METAR: METAR KTYQ 082255Z AUTO 22008KT 10SM CLR 28/19 A2998 RMK AO2 T02830193= ## 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 20240708007429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240708007429A), Jul 8, 2024: Bell 206L-3, Thorntown, IN, Substantial damage. On July 8, 2024, at approximately 1900 eastern standard time, the helicopter was operating under CFR part 137 while reloading with fungicide and fuel. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194656. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18147625&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01%20-%20NTSB%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 9 photos, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18147282&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02%20-%20Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.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.