# Accident 20031016034579A: Bell UH1B, Durham, CA, October 16, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 16, 2003, 13:30 local time
- Place: Durham, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Pwr Off Vert Land/Autorotate
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: P8QG
- Location: 39.6467° N, 121.7997° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6467&lon=-121.7997&mi=10
- Aircraft: N234SJ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N234SJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell UH-1B (registry code 1181410, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming T-53 series (registry code 41549, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH1B
- Reported engine: LYC T53L11D
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX04LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA015) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031016034579A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) MR. PORTER WAS SIMULATING PART 136 SPRAY OPERATIONS AS A DEMONSTRATION FOR THE 1ST GRADE CLASS OF DURHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE CLASS WAS ON A FIELD TRIP AND WAS WATCHING THE SIMULATED SPRAYING OF A FIELD BY MR. PORTER. AFTER THE 3RD PASS OF THE FIELD, WHILE PREPARING TO LAND, THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER. MR. PORTER PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATION INTO THE FIELD. THE LEFT LANDING GEAR SKID FAILED AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE FORWARD LEFT SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE, THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTING STRUCTURE. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE DESTROYED BY CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. INITIAL INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED FAILURE OF THE POWER TURBINE WHEEL. NO OPERATION UNIT COORDINATION AT THIS TIME. OPERATIONS INSPECTOR NOT ASSIGNED AT THIS TIME. FAA IIC NOT ASSIGNED AT THIS TIME. THIS REPORT WILL BE AMENDED AS FURTHER INFORMATION IS RECEIVED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX04LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA015), Oct 16, 2003: Bell UH-1B (N234SJ), Durham, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Separation of the power turbine shaft retaining bolt resulting in extensive power turbine area damage and a loss of shaft output power.

## Other reports on N234SJ (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20230302001889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230302001889A), Mar 2, 2023: Bell UH-1B (N234SJ), Orland, CA, Substantial damage. After taking off from county road 24, pilot reported running out of fuel during aerial application on an orchard. The pilot said in a verbal statement that it…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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