Bell UH-1L N5107J

Summary

On 19 September 1998 at about 20:30 local time, a Bell UH-1L registered N5107J was involved in an accident near Price, Utah, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 September 1998 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Price, Utah, United States

Coordinates

39.6694, -111.0092

Aircraft

Bell UH-1L

Registration

N5107J

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA405

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadvertent loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Factors were the high density altitude flight conditions, the unfavorable wind condition, and the none suitable terrain for an autorotation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was moving logs off the hillside (elevation 7,860 feet, density altitude 10,775 feet), up a narrow canyon that ran approximately north and south. The wind was out of the south at 10 to 12 knots, and after he set down the logs, the helicopter started to turn to the right. He said that prior to the turning, there were no unusual noises and he did not feel any control feedback. He further stated that he realized that he had lost tail rotor directional control and he autorotated to a landing spot. Immediately prior to landing, the helicopter's landing skids impacted a beaver pond and the aircraft bounced into the air nosing over allowing the main rotor blades to hit the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.