Bell 206 accident near Bentley, Illinois, July 6, 2018
On July 6, 2018 at about 10:15 pm local time, a 1974 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N224KM, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Bentley, Illinois. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the maneuvering flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 6, 2018 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Bentley, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 1974 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N224KM · registry record · serial 1124
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial helicopter pilot indicated that, about 10 minutes after takeoff, while making a turn during an aerial application flight, he noticed the low fuel pressure light illuminate; the fuel pressure gage indicated 0 psi, and the fuel quantity gage indicated 15 gallons. The engine subsequently lost total power, and the pilot performed an autorotation in preparation for a forced landing, during which the helicopter nosed over and sustained damage to the main and tail rotors. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the fuel quantity gage read 4 gallons, and the fuel tank contained about 9.5 gallons of fuel. Both fuel boost pumps tested normally. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter's flight manual stated to land as soon as practical when fuel quantity was less than 20 gallons and contained a warning that uncoordinated turns and maneuvers were to be avoided with a fuel quantity of less than 20 gallons. The manual also stated that, due to possible fuel sloshing in unusual attitudes or out-of-trim conditions and one or both fuel boost pumps inoperative, the unusable fuel was 10 gallons. The turn during spray operations with less than 20 gallons of fuel likely caused the fuel to unport, allowing air into the fuel line. This resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. The pilot did not ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the maneuvering flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fuel starvation during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Autorotation Hard landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,286 hours in all; 977 in this make and model; 160 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 3,126 as pilot in command; 1,015 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 5, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,389 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 (turboshaft); 10,206 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Bentley IL at 10:05 pm
- Destination: Bentley IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 7 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 10:15 pm from KEOK, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on November 8, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Examination Information | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Flight Manual -- Excerpt of Fuel Information Pages | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.