Hawkins & Powers UH-1B N50330

Summary

On 1 April 2000 at about 21:30 local time, a Hawkins & Powers UH-1B registered N50330 was involved in an accident near Helper, Utah, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 April 2000 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Helper, Utah, United States

Coordinates

39.6697, -111.0094

Aircraft

Hawkins & Powers UH-1B

Registration

N50330

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Helper → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN00LA069

1 person had minor injuries.

Total failure of the number 1 bearing due to lack of lubrication, the oil flow being restricted by a foreign object (epoxy hardener). Factors were trees and the unavailability of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the helicopter approached logging personnel with a 150 foot long line, the pilot heard a 'Shhhh' sound and was advised smoke was coming from the engine. He turned and proceeded down the mountain. The engine then 'quit.' The helicopter collided with heavily wooded steep terrain. The number 1 and 2 bearings were submitted for metallurgical examination. The metallurgical report stated that 'the most likely cause of [the] engine malfunction was degradation of the Position #1 bearing due to insufficient lubrication.' All other damage appeared to be 'secondary.' The accessory carrier assembly was oil flow tested and found to be 'acceptable,' albeit 'near the lower end of requirements.' Debris in the bearing oil strainer was believed to be 'coked oil and epoxy hardener, both unusual for this area of the engine.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.