# Accident 20231104021059A: Bell UH-1H, Firebaugh, CA, November 4, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 4, 2023, 12:30 local time
- Place: Firebaugh, CA
- Airport: Firebaugh
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: WITG
- Location: 36.8600° N, 120.4645° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8600&lon=-120.4645&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3053Q, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3053Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell UH-1H (registry code 1181407, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1h) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming T-53 series (registry code 41552, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1H
- Reported engine: LYCOMING T-53
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR24LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA030) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231104021059A

## Narrative

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

ON NOVEMBER 4, 2023, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ A BELL UH-1H HELICOPTER CAUGHT FIRE DURING THE STARTUP OF A MAINTENANCE CHECK.

DURING THE ENGINE STARTUP, IT WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT THAT THERE WERE NO ABNORMALITIES. ENGINE INSTRUMENTS APPEARED NORMAL. APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS AFTER STARTUP THE PILOT OBSERVED WHITE SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE HELICOPTER, JUST BEHIND THE TRANSMISSION TOWARD THE BACK OF THE CABIN AT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.  THE PILOT VERIFIED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE AND SHUT DOWN THE HELICOPTER AND EXITED THE AIRCRAFT.  THE FIRE CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL IT CONSUMED LARGE PORTIONS OF THE HELICOPTER.  THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SEVERE FIRE DAMAGE.

THERE WERE NO REPORTED 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 WPR24LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA030), Nov 4, 2023: Arrow Falcon Exporters UH-1H (N3053Q), Firebaugh, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An on-ground fuel fire for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive thermal damage.

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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