# NTSB CEN26LA264: Bell 206B, N297CA, Saint Joseph, IL, July 17, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open
- Date: July 16, 2026, 19:02 local (Jul 17, 2026, 00:02 UTC)
- Place: Saint Joseph, IL
- Coordinates: 40.12778, -88.07843
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1278&lon=-88.0784&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA264
- Latest NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA264

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N297CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N297CA), registered now, S/N 1453, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- 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: 1453
- Year built: 1974
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Helicopter Services Of Illinois LLC
- Registered owner: Helicopter Services Of Illinois LLC

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KCMI, 11 nm away
- METAR: METAR KCMI 162353Z 00000KT 10SM FEW032 BKN070 31/23 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP163 T03110233 10322 20294 55007

## 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 20260716007599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260716007599A), Jul 16, 2026: Bell 206B, St Joseph, IL, Destroyed. On July 16, 2026, at approximately 1915 local time, a Bell 206 helicopter was involved in an accident while conducting 14 CFR part 137 agricultural spraying…

## Other investigations on N297CA (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 CEN13LA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA378), May 24, 2013: Bell 206B (N297CA), St Louis, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the separation of compressor blades, which resulted from fatigue cracking.

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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