# NTSB CEN25LA098: MD Helicopters 369FF, N6100N, Cookville, MO, February 16, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 16, 2025, 08:35 local (14:35 UTC) - Place: Cookville, MO - Coordinates: 37.660055, -92.213164 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6601&lon=-92.2132&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 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): 199712 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199712/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199712 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA098 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during the low altitude operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [MD Helicopters 369FF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3030002), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [MD Helicopters 369FF, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3030002), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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: [MD Helicopters 369FF, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3030002), [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: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [MD Helicopters 369FF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=3030002), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [MD Helicopters 369FF, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3030002), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he and his passenger were conducting a wildlife damage management flight in a heavily wooded area. He hovered the helicopter about 70 ft above ground level and coordinated with the passenger to locate the target. He then moved the helicopter aft and right for the passenger to have a better view of the target, when the helicopter shuddered and descended as the main and tail rotor blades collided with a tree. The pilot ascended out of the wooded area and located an open field for a precautionary landing, then landed without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and tail rotor blades. After landing, they walked back to the accident area and located one tree that was taller than the surrounding canopy and observed cut tree limbs on the ground beneath the tree. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6100N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6100N), registered now, S/N 0216FF (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MD HELICOPTERS INC 369FF - Registry model: [MD Helicopters 369FF](https://openairdocs.org/model/md-helicopters-369ff) (registry code 3030002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C30](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c30) (registry code 54023, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0216FF - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 2297.2 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C30 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Public use - Operator: Usda Aphis Ws Atoc - Registered owner: Usda Aphis Ws Atoc - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 17, 2025 - Departed: TBN, Fort Leonard Wood, MO - Airport: TBN, Waynesville-St Robert Rgnl Forney Fld - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 6, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,600 total, 72 in this make and model, 6,577 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 9 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: KTBN, 6 nm away - METAR: KTBN 161355Z AUTO 27009KT 6SM -SN OVC018 M06/M09 A3008 RMK AO2 SNE30SNB31E32UPB32E34SNB34 CIG 016 RWY33 SLP202 P0000 T10621093 $ ## 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 20250216002319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250216002319A), Feb 16, 2025: Md Helicopters Inc 369FF, Fort Leonard Wo, MO, Substantial damage. The airman was conducting species eradication operations and performed a low pass over a wooded area before coming to a hover. After establishing the hover,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199712. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18360043&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20DoS%20and%20pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18376656&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20photos-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.