Probable cause
The helicopter encountered a dust devil at a low altitude during the aerial application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was spraying a corn field during the aerial application flight when the accident occurred. He made a turn at the end of a swath run and was leveling out five feet above the corn when the helicopter encountered a dust devil. The helicopter descended into the corn in a level attitude.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA411 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 15, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Blackstone, Illinois
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
TOMCAT MK6B
- N-number
- N17H
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.