Bell 206 N26UK

Summary

On 21 July 2024 at about 01:15 local time, a Bell 206 registered N26UK, operated by Heliteam, was involved in an accident near Cornland, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 July 2024 at 01:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Cornland, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

39.9375, -89.4017

Aircraft

Bell 206

Registration

N26UK

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1975

Engines

1

Operator

Heliteam

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CEN24LA276

Nobody was injured.

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

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.