# NTSB BFO91DOA01: Bell UH-1B, N91348, Iaeger, WV, July 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1991, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Iaeger, WV
- Coordinates: 37.460712, -81.810623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4607&lon=-81.8106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91DOA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91DOA01

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, WHILE OPERATING OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DOING AN AERIAL SPRAY OF A WOODED AREA WHEN THE LOW RPM WARNING SOUNDED. HE THEN NOTICED THE ROTOR/ENGINE RPM READING WAS DECREASING RAPIDLY.  THE PILOT DID AN AUTOROTATION DESCENT.  DURING THE LANDING THE ACFT STRUCK TREES AND THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91348](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91348-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 60-3588 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Registry model: [Bell UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (registry code 1181410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41552, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 60-3588
- Airframe hours: 5569
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-L-11-D 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 137
- Operator: Ranger Helicopter Service, Inc
- Registered owner: Ranger Helicopter Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1991, 26 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 280 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WELC, 11 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 19910701025669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910701025669A), Jul 1, 1991: Bell UH1B, Iaeger, WV, Substantial damage. Allowed rotor speed to decay whiel spraying powerline right of way. Was too low to regain RPM. Crashed in trees.

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.

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