Location:
|
Cookville, Missouri
|
Accident Number:
|
CEN25LA098
|
Date & Time:
|
February 16, 2025, 08:35 Local
|
Registration:
|
N6100N
|
Aircraft:
|
MD HELICOPTERS INC 369FF
|
Aircraft Damage:
|
Substantial
|
Defining Event:
|
Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
|
Injuries:
|
2 None
|
Flight Conducted Under:
|
Public aircraft
|
|
|
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.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during the low altitude operation.
Findings
Aircraft Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Incorrect action performance - Pilot
Environmental issues Tree(s) - Effect on equipment
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) (Defining event)
Maneuvering Off-field or emergency landing
Pilot Information
Certificate:
|
Commercial; Flight instructor
|
Age:
|
42,Male
|
Airplane Rating(s):
|
None
|
Seat Occupied:
|
Right
|
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
|
Helicopter
|
Restraint Used:
|
4-point
|
Instrument Rating(s):
|
Helicopter
|
Second Pilot Present:
|
No
|
Instructor Rating(s):
|
Helicopter
|
Toxicology Performed:
|
|
Medical Certification:
|
Class 2 With waivers/limitations
|
Last FAA Medical Exam:
|
October 11, 2024
|
Occupational Pilot:
|
Yes
|
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
|
November 6, 2024
|
Flight Time:
|
6600 hours (Total, all aircraft), 72 hours (Total, this make and model), 6577 hours (Pilot In
|
|
Command, all aircraft), 88 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 78 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft),
|
|
0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
|
|
|
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make:
|
MD HELICOPTERS INC
|
Registration:
|
N6100N
|
Model/Series:
|
369FF
|
Aircraft Category:
|
Helicopter
|
Year of Manufacture:
|
2015
|
Amateur Built:
|
|
Airworthiness Certificate:
|
None
|
Serial Number:
|
0216FF
|
Landing Gear Type:
|
High skid
|
Seats:
|
2
|
Date/Type of Last
|
January 17, 2025 100 hour
|
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
|
3750 lbs
|
Inspection:
|
|
|
|
Time Since Last Inspection:
|
|
Engines:
|
1 Turbo shaft
|
Airframe Total Time:
|
2297.2 Hrs at time of accident
|
Engine Manufacturer:
|
Rolls-Royce
|
ELT:
|
C126 installed, not activated
|
Engine Model/Series:
|
250-C30
|
Registered Owner:
|
USDA APHIS WS ATOC
|
Rated Power:
|
650 Horsepower
|
Operator:
|
USDA APHIS WS ATOC
|
Operating Certificate(s)
|
None
|
|
|
Held:
|
|
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site:
|
Visual (VMC)
|
Condition of Light:
|
Day
|
Observation Facility, Elevation:
|
KTBN,1159 ft msl
|
Distance from Accident Site:
|
6 Nautical Miles
|
Observation Time:
|
07:55 Local
|
Direction from Accident Site:
|
29°
|
Lowest Cloud Condition:
|
|
Visibility
|
6 miles
|
Lowest Ceiling:
|
Overcast / 1800 ft AGL
|
Visibility (RVR):
|
|
Wind Speed/Gusts:
|
9 knots / None
|
Turbulence Type
|
/
|
|
|
Forecast/Actual:
|
|
Wind Direction:
|
270°
|
Turbulence Severity
|
/
|
|
|
Forecast/Actual:
|
|
Altimeter Setting:
|
30.08 inches Hg
|
Temperature/Dew Point:
|
-6°C / -9°C
|
Precipitation and Obscuration:
|
Light - None - Snow
|
|
|
Departure Point:
|
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
|
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
|
None
|
|
(TBN)
|
|
|
Destination:
|
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
|
Type of Clearance:
|
VFR flight following
|
|
(TBN)
|
|
|
Departure Time:
|
08:25 Local
|
Type of Airspace:
|
Class G;Restricted area
|
Airport Information
Airport:
|
WAYNESVILLE-ST ROBERT RGNL
|
Runway Surface Type:
|
|
|
FORNEY FLD TBN
|
|
|
Airport Elevation:
|
1159 ft msl
|
Runway Surface Condition:
|
|
Runway Used:
|
|
IFR Approach:
|
None
|
Runway Length/Width:
|
|
VFR Approach/Landing:
|
Precautionary landing
|
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries:
|
1 None
|
Aircraft Damage:
|
Substantial
|
Passenger
|
1 None
|
Aircraft Fire:
|
None
|
Injuries:
|
|
|
|
Ground Injuries:
|
N/A
|
Aircraft Explosion:
|
None
|
Total Injuries:
|
2 None
|
Latitude,
|
37.660055,-92.213164
|
|
|
Longitude:
|
|
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC):
|
Lindberg, Joshua
|
Additional Participating
|
William Grubb; FAA; St. Louis, MO
|
Persons:
|
|
|
Original Publish Date:
|
May 9, 2025
|
Last Revision Date:
|
|
|
Investigation Class:
|
Class 4
|
Note:
|
The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
|
Investigation Docket:
|
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199712
|
|
|
|
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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