# NTSB ATL04TA142: Bell UH-1H, N128FC, Childs, FL, July 1, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: June 30, 2004, 20:00 local (Jul 1, 2004, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Childs, FL - Coordinates: 27.016944, -81.45111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.0169&lon=-81.4511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59760 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04TA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59760/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04TA142 ## Probable cause The vehicle driver's inadequate visual lookout and his failure to maintain clearance. A factor was the lack of company standards and operation procedures. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - idling rotors - clearance - not maintained, driver of vehicle - procedure inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, driver of vehicle (cause) ## Analysis According to the pilot after landing, he noticed that one of the skids were off of the pavement and was beginning to settle in the ground. The pilot lifted the helicopter to reposition the skid on the pavement. At the same time, the refuel trailer was being pulled forward towards the helicopter. After the helicopter was positioned on the pavement, the refueling trailer continued towards the helicopter until it struck the right synchronized elevator on the tail boom assembly. Examination of the helicopter revealed the right synchronized elevator was buckled. No flight control or mechanical anomalies were reported by the pilot. Review of the USDA Forest Service operating procedures revealed that there were no operating procedures for "hot" refueling. Subsequent to this accident procedures have been adopted to prevent another reoccurrence of this accident. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 2004, at 2000 eastern daylight time, a Bell UH-1H helicopter, N128FC, registered to and operated by the USDA Forest Service FEPP, was struck by a fuel trailer while the driver of the refueling vehicle positioned to refuel the standing helicopter near Childs, Florida. The public use flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot was uninjured and helicopter sustained substantial damaged. The flight was participating in a wildlife fire operation in the vicinity of Childs, Florida, on June 30, 2004 at 1800. According to the pilot, while participating in a wildfire operation, he maneuvered the helicopter to land and conduct a "hot" refueling. After landing, the pilot noticed that one of the skids were off of the pavement and was beginning to settle in the ground. The pilot lifted the helicopter to reposition the skid on the pavement. At the same time, the refuel trailer was being pulled forward towards the helicopter. After the helicopter was positioned on the pavement, the refueling trailer continued towards the helicopter until it struck the right synchronized elevator on the tail boom assembly. Examination of the helicopter revealed the right synchronized elevator was buckled. No flight control or mechanical anomalies were reported by the pilot. Review of the USDA Forest Service operating procedures revealed that there were no operating procedures for "hot" refueling. Subsequent to this accident procedures have been adopted to prevent reoccurrence of this type accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N128FC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N128FC), registered now, S/N 69-15848 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell UH-1H - Registry model: [Bell UH-1H](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1h) (registry code 1181407) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 64-13750 - Airframe hours: 6607 - Engines: Lycoming T53-L-703 1600 lbs thrust turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: USDA Forest Service, doing business as Florida Division of Forestry - Registered owner: Florida Depatment of Agr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, April 1, 2004, 34 hours before - Departed: FMY, FORT MYERS, FL - Destination: Okeechobee, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 22, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 6,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: FMY, 25 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040630032699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040630032699A), Jun 30, 2004: Bell UH1H, Ft Myers, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 30, 2004 during a hot refuel of a helicopter (forestry 28) the left rear corner of the aviation mechanics truck (ACS11176) and the left side of a… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.