Bell 206B accident near Verona, Illinois, July 18, 2022
On July 18, 2022 at about 11:49 pm local time, a 1988 Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N6BU, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Verona, 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
A loss of rotor rpm for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 18, 2022 · about 11:49 pm local time
- Place
- Verona, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B, built 1988 · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N6BU · registry record · serial 4034
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Before departure, the helicopter was loaded with about 30 gallons of fuel and 80 gallons of spray product. After takeoff from a load truck, the pilot received a low rotor alarm and the helicopter began to sink. He performed an autorotation and the helicopter bounced upon landing. The tailboom was severed by the main rotor blades which resulted in substantial damage. During a postaccident examination and engine test run, no anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of rotor rpm could not be determined based on the available evidence.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter; rotorcraft: unmanned (suas)
- Flight time: 3,400 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 3,200 as pilot in command; 300 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 28, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2021
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Top Gun Precision AG LLC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from KC09, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KC09 182335Z AUTO 29004KT 10SM CLR 29/21 A2988 RMK AO2 T02850207
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on October 25, 2023. 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, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Rolls Royce Field Notes | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | 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.