Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to avoid power lines during an aerial application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was completing an aerial application flight in the helicopter. During a spray pass, he noticed a car on the nearby road, so he slowed the helicopter to avoid the applicant drifting onto the car. He then noticed power lines in front of him and attempted to fly underneath them but collided with the lower line. The pilot lost control of the helicopter which impacted in a field and came to rest on its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot added that he was not aware of the powerlines before the flight, even though he had sprayed this field many times before.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA266 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 18, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bloomington, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Central Il Rgnl/Bloomington-No (BMI)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell B206-B
- N-number
- N975TR
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1974
- 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.