MD Helicopters 369FF N6100N

Summary

On 16 February 2025 at about 14:35 local time, a MD Helicopters 369FF registered N6100N, operated by Usda Aphis WS Atoc, was involved in an accident near Cookville, Missouri, United States. 2 people were 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

16 February 2025 at 14:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Cookville, Missouri, United States

Nearest airport

Waynesville-St Robert Rgnl For (TBN)

Coordinates

37.6601, -92.2132

Aircraft

MD Helicopters 369FF

Registration

N6100N

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2015

Engines

1

Operator

Usda Aphis WS Atoc

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Leonard Wood → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN25LA098

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during the low altitude operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.