# Accident 20220716012979A: Bell UH-1H, Bernal, NM, July 16, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 16, 2022, 19:20 local time
- Place: Bernal, NM
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.3800° N, 105.2374° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3800&lon=-105.2374&mi=10
- Aircraft: N911SZ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N911SZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell UH-1H (registry code 1181407, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1h) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1H
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 4
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN22FA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA317) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220716012979A

## Narrative

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

A PUBLIC USE HELICOPTER, AFTER REFUELING AND DEPARTING LAS VEGAS, NM AIRPORT (LVS), WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED, IN CRUISE FLIGHT, EXPERIENCED AN APPARENT EMERGENCY OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN ENROUTE TO THE HOME BASE AT AEG (DOUBLE EAGLE II).

THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE GROUND HARD IN A TAIL LOW, UPRIGHT ATTITUDE AND WITH EVIDENCE OF VERY LOW MAIN ROTOR RPM.

THE CAUSE FOR THE EMERGENCY DESCENT IS YET TO BE DETERMINED AND THIS REPORT WILL BE UPDATED AFTER AN AIRCRAFT COMPONENT INSPECTION.

THE FUEL SITE AT LVS WAS INSPECTED BY THE FAA WITH NO CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF FUEL CONTAMINATION.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE KILLED.

## 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 CEN22FA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA317), Jul 17, 2022: Bell UH-1H (N911SZ), Chapelle, NM, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the starter-generator input (zerol) gear which failed due to poor maintenance. Contributing to the accident was the unsuccessful…

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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