NTSB Factual Report

On July 22, 2001, at 1130 central daylight time, a Hughes 269A helicopter, N8733F, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted into a corn field 5 miles north-northeast of Jacksonville, Illinois, while maneuvering over the field. Prior to the crash, the pilot said the engine lost power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The local flight originated at a seed corn facility 5 miles north-northeast of Jacksonville, Illinois, at 1110.

In his written statement, the pilot said that he believed the helicopter lost [engine] power which resulted in the accident. He said that he did not have time to notice the engine gauges prior to the impact, due to his close proximity to the ground while conducting corn pollination. He said that he had previously flown the helicopter approximately 1.5 hours and had refueled prior to the accident flight. The pilot said that he was approximately 100 yards into the field, on a straight flight path, and at an airspeed of about 30 to 35 knots when the accident occurred.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter at the accident site. The helicopter was resting in the middle of a seed corn field about 800 feet south of a road. The corn stalks were approximately 7 feet tall. The helicopter fuselage was setting upright on its skids and oriented on a 160-degree magnetic heading. Damaged corn stalks preceded the helicopter by approximately 15 feet. A 6-inch piece of a tail rotor blade was located 20 feet north of the helicopter fuselage. The main mast was torn loose atop the cabin area. All 3 main rotor blades were found intact. The outer portion of one main rotor blade showed blue paint smears similar in color to the blue stripes along the helicopter's fuselage and tail boom. The blade was broken 2-feet inboard of the tip. The second blade also showed blue paint smears on its outer portion. The third blade showed red paint smears similar in color to the red paint on the tail rotor blades near the tip. This blade also showed damage indicative of striking a tail rotor blade. The push-pull tubes to the swash plate were broken. The tail boom was severed aft of the fuselage. The fuel tank was broken loose and ruptured. Three gallons of fuel was observed in the fuel tank and was indicative of 100 octane low lead aviation fuel. There was also a 3-foot long puddle of fuel beneath the helicopter fuselage. The helicopter's lower fin, a portion of the tail rotor push-pull control rod, and several small parts were located 60 feet west of the helicopter. Control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the helicopter's engine, transmission, and other systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The helicopter's loss of engine power for undetermined reasons while maneuvering close to the ground, and the low altitude and low airspeed. A factor relating to this accident was the pilot not being able to get into autorotation.