Mining Incidents

Prairie Eagle Coal

Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Facility
Cutler, Perry County, IL  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 1103143

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
63
Years on record
2005–2026
Latest incident
Apr 2026
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2005
228
citations
96
significant & substantial
$119,076
proposed penalties
$90,888
paid to date
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2025 Q4 15,113 3 3 198.5
2025 Q2 22,128 1 0 45.2
2025 Q1 6,578 1 0 152.0
2024 Q4 22,482 1 0 44.5
2024 Q2 8,814 4 0 453.8
2024 Q1 15,521 8 4 515.4
2023 Q3 16,156 6 3 371.4
2023 Q2 9,177 1 0 109.0
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

63 on file

2026 · 2 incidents

April 21, 2026 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Upon discovery MSHA hotline was called immediately. The current E01 inspector was called and personnel were dispatched to operate machinery to begin cutting out heated material to help extinguish.

March 10, 2026 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot occurred on the south side of the raw coal pile at the Prairie Eagle East Portal.

2025 · 5 incidents

October 2, 2025 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee was attempting to dump a loaded haul truck. EE raised the bed, the tailgate was not opened, EE then moved the truck while turning left (downhill direction) and rolled the truck onto it's right side. EE sustained 2 stiches in the right side of EE's head and broke EE's right collarbone.

May 3, 2025 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot was discovered on the PEEP raw coal pad. No one was injured. When a dozer was freed from being stuck material started being moved from the area.

May 2, 2025 IL · Coal ENTRAPMENT
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Dozer was pushing material into a feeder, when the blade of the dozer dipped forward, causing the dozer to get stuck in the hole of the feeder. No one was injured or trapped.

March 17, 2025 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

I.E. and another employee were attempting to chain up a drive shaft on a haul truck to be able to pull the down equipment out of the way. While holding the driveshaft up, the weight shifted and the driveshaft fell on the I.E.'s left hand bending back their wrist causing a fracture.

January 8, 2025 IL · Coal coal sampler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

I.E. was carrying a 5 gallon bucket to get a coal sample off a beltline at the wash plant. While walking they slipped on some ice and fell to the ground landing on the bucket. This caused a fracture in their right arm.

2024 · 5 incidents

November 14, 2024 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot was discovered on the south and west side of the PEEP raw coal pile. No one was injured. The affected material was moved from the property.

August 27, 2024 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot was discovered on the northwest side of the PE clean coal pile. No one was injured. The affected material is being moved from the property.

June 10, 2024 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot was discovered on the southeast side of the PEEP raw coal pad. No one was injured. The affected material was moved to be washed.

March 25, 2024 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A fire occurred on an unattended service truck. It is unknown what caused the fire. No other equipment was damaged and no one was injured during the fire.

March 18, 2024 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot was discovered on the south side of the PEEP raw coal pad. No one was injured. The affected material is being moved and treated.

2023 · 3 incidents

July 1, 2023 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Fall from machine

I.E. was getting out of the passenger side of pickup truck at warehouse. As they were getting out of the truck, their foot caught a CB cord. They fell out of the cab on their right shoulder. I.E. continued to work until doctor took them off for surgery on the shoulder on 10-19-2023.

May 8, 2023 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot on a coal pile was discovered at the Prairie Eagle East Portal Raw coal pad. No one was injured. Steps are being taken to transport the hot material to the prep plant to be washed and taken from property.

January 24, 2023 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

OTR truck driver was walking around their truck checking lights. While walking the driver stepped in a hole causing them to trip and fall. When falling I.E. fractured two fingers on their right hand when hitting the ground.

2022 · 4 incidents

July 26, 2022 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot was discovered on the east side of the clean coal pile near the Wash Plant. No one was injured. The affected material was transported off property and/or rewashed.

July 18, 2022 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot was discovered on the South side of the PEEP raw coal pad. No one was injured. The affected material was moved into the feeder by a dozer to be washed.

July 15, 2022 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot was discovered on the West side of the PEEP raw coal pad. No one was injured. The affected material was moved into the feeder by a dozer to be washed.

April 19, 2022 IL · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

I.E. was helping an OTR truck driver repair their auto tarp system. While trying to put a bolt in, the shaft grabbed the I.E.'s glove and pinched the end of their left index finger. This caused a laceration on the end of the finger that required four stitches. I.E. has not missed work.

2021 · 2 incidents

September 24, 2021 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

I.E. was attempting to unplug the reject chute at the breaker station which a prybar. As they were prying rock, some broke loose causing them to smash their left pinky finger between the bar and a surface. This resulted in stitches to the finger. I.E. has not missed any work.

May 24, 2021 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A hot spot was observed on the North side of the PEEP raw coal pad. No one was injured. The material was moved by a dozer into the feeder to be washed.

2020 · 6 incidents

October 7, 2020 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the north end of the raw coal storage pad near the Prairie Eagle east portal. Steps were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

October 5, 2020 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the north end of the raw coal storage pad near the prairie eagle east portal. Steps were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

August 20, 2020 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Struck against a moving object

I.E was coming from the plant with a load of gob headed east down the haul road to the gob dump in a haul truck. When another truck driver pulled up to the truck it was discovered to have drove on the berm provided and tipped over on its passenger side. I.E. suffered head lacerations and broken ribs from the injury.

March 12, 2020 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the northwest side of the raw coal storage pad near the Prairie Eagle Wash Plant. Steps are taken to treat and remove the affected material.

March 11, 2020 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the north side of raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

January 7, 2020 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the northeast side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

2019 · 14 incidents

December 21, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from areas of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions are being taken to remove affected material from area.

December 17, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the northeast side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

December 15, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the south side of the raw coal pile at Prairie Eagle Plant. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

December 15, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the northeast side of the raw coal pile located near Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

December 12, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the west side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

December 10, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the northeast side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

December 8, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the northeast side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

December 4, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the northeast side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Action were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

November 30, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

November 25, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the northeast side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

November 21, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the Northeast side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East portal. Actions will be taken to treat and remove the affected the material

November 18, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the North East side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

November 4, 2019 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

While working on grizzly bars on raw coal pad, an opening was covered in coal and employees foot fell through causing EE to fall and injure EE's right shoulder. Employee continued to work until surgery on 11/14/2019.

November 1, 2019 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was observed coming from the North East side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

2018 · 2 incidents

August 6, 2018 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Employee slipped and strained right shoulder while climbing down off of the screen. Employee continued to work. Employee started missing work on 9-19-2018 after shoulder surgery.

April 20, 2018 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee was holding a hammer while another employee attempted to strike hammer to drive a gear coupling off. The 2nd employee missed the hammer head and struck the handle causing the injured employee's hand to strike the motor shaft. The employee received stitches to left middle finger.

2016 · 1 incident

December 14, 2016 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was loosening a pan lid and the lid shifted, cutting a finger. The finger required sutures.

2015 · 2 incidents

January 4, 2015 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing down ladder and his hand slipped, straining his arm. He started missing work on 1-17-2015.

2014 · 3 incidents

August 20, 2014 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a four way lug wrench to tighten lug bolts on wheel, as he leaned to put his weight on wrench his right ankle buckled as he twisted his body. Conditions were dry and daylight.

March 30, 2014 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Contractor who works for Jones Hydroblast was clearing a chute and his pry bar struck him on the jaw.

March 4, 2014 IL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Cleaning pan and caught his finger between the pan wall and scraper. The reason for delay in reporting was delay in x-rays and results.

2013 · 1 incident

May 13, 2013 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was closing a door on the no. 1 dryer in the preparation plant. He fell backward and caught himself, causing injury to his left shoulder. The first day of work missed was 6/6/2013.

2012 · 1 incident

September 29, 2012 IL · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was trying to climb on a dozer when his foot became stuck in the mud. When he tried to pull his left foot from the mud he pulled something in his knee.

2011 · 1 incident

January 12, 2011 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

An over the road truck driver was found slumped over the steering wheel of his truck. He was unresponsive and had no pulse. AED and CPR was administered at the scene, he was then transported to the hospital by ambulance, on arrival to the hospital he was pronounced dead. Cause of death was listed as a heart attack.

2010 · 2 incidents

December 6, 2010 IL · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Was unplugging chute in prep plant using a 3/8" rod, the rod slipped out of his hand. He reached out for it and at that time he felt pain in his lower back. Started missing work on 1/11/11.

June 8, 2010 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Truck Operator complaining of lower back cramping and nausea stopped and exited the equipment pain got worse and ambulance was called. Truck operator was taken to Sparta Community Hospital was diagnosed with kidney stones and given pain medication then was released two hours later. Operator was cleared to return to work on 06/09/20010.

2009 · 2 incidents

September 26, 2009 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Fall from machine

Miner was fueling tractor at fuel station. When tank was full, EE lifted nozzle from tank and the weight and stretch of the hose pulled EE off balance. EE fell approximately 5ft., landing on EE's left wrist and hand.

June 16, 2009 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was in the process of shoveling out the converyor chain on a highwall miner, when he lost his footing and fell.

2008 · 1 incident

March 14, 2008 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Fall from machine

Truck operator missed a step trying to exit the truck and fell and injured hip.

2007 · 2 incidents

October 2, 2007 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting a sandblasting pot into the bed of pickup truck. He felt he strained or hurt his left arm and forearm and lower back (doctor's report shows previous lumbar laminectomy). Bicep ok - accident under investigation still.

June 22, 2007 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Roland Machinery Employee tended to an overheating Chevy Pickup, property of Knight Hawk Coal. While removing the radiator cap, hot water and steam burned his right hand and right forearm, resulting in 2nd degree burns.

2006 · 3 incidents

December 4, 2006 IL · Coal outside foreman, leadman MACHINERY
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

We were pulling pump hose back into the N.E. boxcut using 1250 backhoe and nylon straps. I was between pump and 1250 bucket. The bucket accidentally swung into the pump, catching my left arm between pump and bucket, resulting in a fracture of the lower left arm.

March 25, 2006 IL · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was adjusting EBW dryer basket lid when it slipped off the peg, mashing his left index finger, which required 6 stitches.

March 16, 2006 IL · Coal driller, highwall operator, highwall drill operator EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Struck by flying object

Taking fitting out of tensioner (highwall miner) to bleed off pressure. Crawler was off the ground and tensioner was fully extended with grease. 90 deg. elbow FTG was turned too far & shot out because of pressure, striking right thumb & hand, bruising it severely.

2005 · 1 incident

October 10, 2005 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

EE was making a connection on a conveyor truss walkway. A weldment approx. 4' from He failed resulting in a collapse on which he was standing. He fell approx. 6' and caught himself on a structural member of the same truss resulting in injury to his rib cage.