Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the unmanned aircraft system during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
After the pilot completed the preflight of the quadcopter style unmanned aircraft system (UAS), he backed away from the UAS and initiated takeoff. As the UAS began to take off, the pilot walked back towards the UAS to retrieve old batteries. As he bent over to pick up the batteries, he sensed the UAS was too close to him, and he raised his hands to shield his face. The UAS rotor blade contacted his hand resulting in a serious injury. The operator also reported that one of the rotor blades needed to be replaced.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA316 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 12, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Depew, Iowa
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Xag P100 PRO
- N-number
- N467GE
- Category
- Helicopter
- 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.