Preliminary information
On July 22, 2025, about 1400 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R66 helicopter, N88911, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Maynard, Iowa. The pilot was uninjured. The helicopter was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as a Part 137 aerial application flight.
The pilot stated that he had been conducting spray operations for about 50 minutes. The helicopter was about 5 to 10 ft above the corn when, during a turn, the turbine engine flamed out. He stated that he immediately lowered the collective and applied aft cyclic to gain altitude. The pilot then executed a forced landing in the corn field, which resulted in the separation of the helicopter’s tailboom.
The helicopter was retained for further examination.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA277 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 22, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Maynard, Iowa
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson Helicopter Co R66
- N-number
- N88911
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2015
- 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.