# NTSB CEN21LA212: Richards Heavylift Helo UH-1H, N567VF, Norris City, IL, May 10, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 10, 2021, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Norris City, IL · on gravel road - Coordinates: 37.944686, -88.337917 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9447&lon=-88.3379&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 103066 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA212 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103066/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103066 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA212 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper positioning of the helicopter on the landing pad, and his failure to monitor and control the helicopter as fuel and chemical product were loaded, which led to the helicopter tipping and sliding off the landing pad, and subsequently impacting the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Richards Heavylift Helo UH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=118142G), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) - [Loading](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Richards Heavylift Helo UH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md?model=118142G), [All aircraft, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Richards Heavylift Helo UH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=118142G), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after landing on a trailer landing pad for the purpose of hot refueling and loading chemical product onboard, on completing those actions, the helicopter slid backwards off the trailer impacting the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations. The operator reported that the helicopter’s center of gravity required that both skid cross tubes be positioned over the landing pad, which required the front cross tube to be placed precisely near the front of the landing pad. The ground crew and pilot were unsure of the helicopter’s position when it landed but recognized that it was possibly too far aft. Following the accident, the operator installed extensions to the landing pad to provide a larger landing area for the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N567VF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N567VF), registered now, S/N 65-10016, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RICHARDS HEAVYLIFT HELO INC UH-1H - Registry model: [Richards Heavylift Helo UH-1H](https://openairdocs.org/model/richards-heavylift-helo-uh-1h) (registry code 118142G) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming T53-L-13](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t53-l-13) (registry code 41551, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 65-10016 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 7938 - Engines: Honeywell T53-L-703 1800 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Kash Helicopter Services LLC - Registered owner: Kash Helicopter Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 2020 - Departed: Mount Vernon, IL - Destination: New Haven, IL - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2020; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 5,050 total, 260 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KHSB, 13 nm away - METAR: KHSB 101815Z AUTO 09005G14KT 10SM CLR 15/01 A3015 RMK AO2 T01460013 ## 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 20210510023129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210510023129A), May 10, 2021: Richards Heavylift Helo Inc UH-1H, Norris City, IL, Substantial damage. On 05/10/2021 at local time 1330 hrs. Outside Norris City,IL [privacy data omitted] a UH-1H ,s/n 65-10016 helicopter during a hot fueling procedure slid off… ## Other investigations on N567VF (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 CEN23FA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA340), Jul 31, 2023: Richards Heavylift Helo UH-1H (N567VF), Oakdale, IL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: An in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103066. 8.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12318373&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12317840&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf 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.