What happened
On July 22, 2025, at approximately 1400 central daylight time, a Robinson R66 helicopter, registration N88911, was performing aerial application operations near Maynard, Iowa. The aircraft was being operated by Midwest Aviation LLC under Part 137 regulations.
The pilot had been conducting spray operations for approximately 50 minutes. While flying at an altitude of 5 to 10 feet above a corn field, the turbine engine experienced a flameout during a turn. In response to the engine failure, the pilot lowered the collective and applied aft cyclic in an attempt to gain altitude. The pilot then performed a forced landing in the corn field. The impact resulted in the separation of the helicopter's tailboom, causing substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot was not injured.