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NTSB Final Report: Cookville, MO

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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