# NTSB CEN24LA276: Bell 206, N26UK, Cornland, IL, July 21, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 20, 2024, 20:15 local (Jul 21, 2024, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Cornland, IL
- Coordinates: 39.9375, -89.401667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9375&lon=-89.4017&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: 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: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194736/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194736
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA276

## Probable cause

The pilot was unable to see a wire due to the setting sun and the helicopter subsequently struck the wire.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while performing aerial applications, the main rotor mast struck a wire. The helicopter became uncontrollable and it impacted a cornfield. He stated the sun was setting and he did not see the wire. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, tail rotor blade, and main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26UK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26UK-2024-12-02), registration cancelled 2024-12-02, S/N 1684, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B)
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (registry code 54385, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1684
- Year built: 1975
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250 C20B turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Heliteam
- Registered owner: Orlando Aircraft Sales, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 20, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,024 total, 307 in this make and model, 2,928 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KSPI, 14 nm away
- METAR: KSPI 210052Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 23/21 A3009

## 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 20240720008599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240720008599A), Jul 20, 2024: Bell 206B, Cornland, IL, Destroyed. Pilot clipped a power line while spraying in agriculture operations. Time of day was dusk.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194736. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 712 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17823785&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Fillable_unlocked_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 364 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17823685&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=accident%20photo-Rel.pdf
- Pilot email (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17828716&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Email_Redacted-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.

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