Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain due to his distraction by the navigation system.
NTSB analysis
During the aerial application flight, the commercial pilot was flying at 45 knots when he looked at his navigation system to ensure that he was on course. He felt the helicopter slow down and looked up to see that he had descended into the soybean field. The helicopter rotated 180° and came to rest on its right side, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16LA303 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 29, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Morris, Minnesota
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Hughes 269A
- N-number
- N269JB
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1965
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
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.