# Accident 20090906025899A: Bell UH-1B, Arvilla, ND, September 6, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 6, 2009, 08:15 local time
- Place: Arvilla, ND
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: LTRG
- Location: 47.9178° N, 97.4944° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9178&lon=-97.4944&mi=10
- Aircraft: N204JB, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N204JB) (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 UH-1B
- Reported engine: LYCOMING T-53 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN09LA565](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA565) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090906025899A

## Narrative

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

WHILE ON A 14 CFR PART 137 COMMERCIAL REVENUE FLIGHT, PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATIONS, AN APPROPRIATELY RATED AND CERTIFICATED PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOUD NOISE COUPLED WITH SEVERE VIBRATION, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP CONSISTING OF COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE TAIL BOOM ASSEMBLY FROM THE MAIN FUSELAGE.  VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.  THE PILOT WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT AND SUFFERED NUMEROUS SEVERE INJURIES.

## 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 CEN09LA565](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA565), Sep 6, 2009: Bell UH-1B (N204JB), Arvilla, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: The aircraft owner/mechanic/pilot's installation of an improper tail boom assembly and the resulting fatigue failure of the tail boom's attach fittings.

## Other reports on N204JB (1)

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

- [Accident 19940831024429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940831024429A), Aug 31, 1994: Bell UH1B (N204JB), Carrabasset, ME, Substantial damage. External load ops crashed on takeoff. Autorotated prior impact. Tail rotor gear box separated due to overload.

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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