Richards Heavylift Helo UH-1H N567VF

Summary

On 31 July 2023 at about 18:11 local time, a Richards Heavylift Helo UH-1H registered N567VF, operated by Kash Helicopter Services LLC, was involved in an accident near Oakdale, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 July 2023 at 18:11

Classification

Accident

Location

Oakdale, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

38.2543, -89.4369

Aircraft

Richards Heavylift Helo UH-1H

Registration

N567VF

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1965

Engines

1

Operator

Kash Helicopter Services LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mount Vernon → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN23FA340

1 person died.

An in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying an aerial application flight in a pattern consisting of north-south passes starting on the western edge of the field with turns to the east to work the field. ADS-B and on-board GPS devices that recorded the accident flight showed that before the accident, for undetermined reasons, the helicopter turned to the west, descended, and impacted terrain. An examination of the helicopter and its engine did not detect any preimpact anomalies that would have contributed to a loss of control. A visual examination of the nearby power lines did not show evidence of arcing or damage to the lines or power pole. The pilot’s severe coronary artery disease increased his risk of experiencing a sudden impairing or incapacitating cardiac event, such as arrhythmia, chest pain, or heart attack. The autopsy does not provide evidence that such an event occurred; however, such an event does not leave reliable autopsy evidence if it occurs shortly before death. Even severe coronary artery disease may not cause major symptoms. Toxicology results indicate that the pilot had used the medication cetirizine. The cetirizine levels in his cavity blood and tissue indicate a possibility that the pilot may have been experiencing some associated impairing effects, such as mild sedation, at the time of the accident. However, it is also possible that the pilot was not experiencing any impairing effects of his cetirizine use.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.