Coroner reported that James Burks of Hot Springs, Ark. was pronounced dead at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville.   Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Hundelt says the helicopter was spraying fungicide on a wheat field near New Athens when the rotor separated from the aircraft, causing it to crash.

Date:

12 May, 2011

Reg:

N9263Y

Make:

Bell

Model:

OH-58

MSN:

69-16239

Location:

a wheat field near New Athens

Country:

US-Illinois

Civil / Military:

Civil

Fatalities:

1

Operator:

Couch-Helicopter-Service

Link:

http://helicoptersafety.blogspot.com/2011/05/12-may-11-n9263y-bell-oh-58c-new-athens.html

Link:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-cropduster-crash,0,5969739.story