Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; St. Louis
Rotorcraft while conducting crop dusting operations, helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances.
Concho Aviation LLC
Date: 22-JUL-22
Time: 14:20:00Z
Regis#: N442JE
Aircraft Make: ROBINSON
Aircraft Model: R44
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: AERIAL APPLICATION
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 137
City: WATERLOO
State: ILLINOIS
WATERLOO, Illinois – The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a helicopter crash Friday morning in Waterloo, Illinois.
The crash happened around 9:25 a.m. in a field near Mockingbird Lane in Waterloo. Police tell FOX2 that the pilot got up and walked after the crash.
The helicopter that crashed is believed to be a crop duster. Investigators are trying to determine what led up to the helicopter coming down.
Residents were shocked that this happened in their neighborhood.
“I was downstairs sleeping and I heard something and didn’t think much of it,” said Branden Kopp.
“I was sitting inside back in the den, and I heard a loud thump,” said Chuck Badger.
“I thought I heard some kid racing up and down the street on a motorcycle, and sounded like it blew up. I didn’t think anything of it,” said John Kopp.
Waterloo police and fire crews, in addition to Monroe County EMS, responded to the field near Mockingbird Lane. Authorities say there was smoke, but no flames following the crash. A part of the helicopter ended up in Badger’s backyard.
“Got to looking and could see part of the helicopter, the sprayer, sticking up in the air,” he said. “First time I’ve seen anything like this. I’ve been here 17 years now.”
The pilot remained on the scene after the crash and police say he is cooperating with the investigation.
“It’s just the greatest outcome we could ask for,” said Sgt. Trin Daws with the Waterloo Police Department. “Nobody was injured, and his safety is the most important thing of it and for him to be uninjured is just a blessing,” said Sgt. Daws.
I hope it was not one of the lemmon -40e series Lycoming engines. Those things should be recalled!
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