Bell HH-1H N91JK

Summary

On 2 June 2022 at about 23:00 local time, a Bell HH-1H registered N91JK, operated by Washoe County Sheriff Dept, was involved in an accident near Reno, Nevada, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 June 2022 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Reno, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

39.6939, -119.9403

Aircraft

Bell HH-1H

Registration

N91JK

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Washoe County Sheriff Dept

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Reno → Reno

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22LA205

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s loss of control following the inadvertent placement of his foot behind the anti-torque pedal.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The two pilots were practicing pinnacle landings and takeoffs on a hilltop. The pilot in command (PIC) in the right seat was performing a takeoff when the helicopter encountered a wind gust that resulted in a right yaw. The PIC applied left anti-torque pedal to arrest the yaw when his left heel slipped off the front end of the footrest. His foot became wedged between the pedal and footrest, which resulted in an uncontrollable left spin. The PIC reduced collective, and the helicopter landed hard. The landing skids collapsed on landing, substantially damaging the fuselage and tail. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.