What happened
On July 15, 2010, a Continental Copters Tomcat MK6B, registration N17H, was performing aerial application services over a corn field near Blackstone, Illinois. The pilot was engaged in spraying the field when the accident occurred. After completing a swath run, the pilot initiated a turn and was leveling the aircraft approximately five feet above the crop when the helicopter encountered a dust devil. This encounter caused the helicopter to descend into the corn while maintaining a level attitude. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, and there was one minor injury reported. No fatalities occurred.
The investigation
Investigators determined that the aircraft was flying in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 180 degrees at 11 knots at the time of the event.