# Accident 20160717020149A: Bell UH1-H, Yakima, WA, July 17, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 17, 2016, 14:18 local time
- Place: Yakima, WA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operator: K1CM
- Location: 46.1656° N, 121.4942° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1656&lon=-121.4942&mi=10
- Aircraft: N790RJ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N790RJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell UH-1H (registry code 1181407, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1h) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH1-H
- People aboard: 8
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR16LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA142) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160717020149A

## Narrative

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

N790RJ, A 1970 UH1-H HELICOPER OPERATED BY THE KING COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AFTER CONTACTING THE GROUND ON THE SIDE OF MT. ADAMS LOCATED IN WASHINGTON STATE AT 7,800 FEET MSL. THERE WERE 8 PERSONNEL ONBOARD THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, WITH NO INJURIES NOTED.

THE HELICOPER WAS BEING OPERATED UNDER PUBLIC USE AIRCRAFT RULES, HOWEVER THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED WELL OUTSIDE KING COUNTY'S JURISDICTION.

TWO PILOTS WERE INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT.  THE HELICOPTER WAS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL CONTROLS, HOWEVER THE LOWER EXPERIENCED PILOT WAS LISTED AS PILOT IN COMMAND.

THE STATED PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS "AN AIRBORNE RECON, INSERTING SEARCH AND RESCUE VOLUNTEERS". THE HELICOPTER, OPERATING AT 7,800 FEET MSL AND 100 FEET AGL, LOST TAILROTOR AUTHORITY. THE HELICOPTER SPUN 2 OR 3 COMPLETE REVOLUTIONS THEN STRUCK THE GROUND AND BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR. THE LEFT SKID WAS BENT AND DETACHED FROM THE AFT CROSS TUBE.  SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE ALSO OCCURRED TO THE FUSELAGE FROM BELOW THE CO-PILOT DOOR AND AFT OF THE LEFT SLIDING CREW DOOR.

THE TWO PILOT CREW ELECTED TO FLY THE DAMAGED HELICOPTER APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES TO THE YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AIRPORT (YKM).  PALLETS WERE PLACED UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HELICOPTER AT YKM PRIOR TO LANDING TO KEEP THE HELICOPTER FROM ROLLING ON IT'S LEFT SIDE.

## 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 WPR16LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA142), Jul 17, 2016: Bell UH 1H (N790RJ), Mt. Adams, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control as he slowed the helicopter during a landing approach, which resulted in the loss of helicopter control due to the loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

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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