No fatalities

BELL 206L-3 accident at Thorntown, IN, 8 Jul 2024

Thorntown, IN, United States

On July 8, 2024, a BELL 206L-3 operated by Vertical Vegetation Management, LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Thorntown, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to ensure that the load hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control after liftoff and a hard landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the load hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control after liftoff and a hard landing.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operationEffect on operationPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Jul 2024 BELL 206L-3 accident near Thorntown, IN?

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the load hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control after liftoff and a hard landing.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Jul 2024 BELL 206L-3 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Jul 2024 involved a BELL 206L-3, operated by Vertical Vegetation Management, LLC, at Thorntown, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the load hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control after liftoff and a hard landing.