# NTSB CEN23LA295: Bell UH-1H, N900VF, Woodlawn, IL, July 11, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 11, 2023, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Woodlawn, IL · corn field - Coordinates: 38.56, -89.045278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5600&lon=-89.0453&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192602 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA295 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192602/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192602 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA295 ## Probable cause The separation of the tail boom from the fuselage for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuselage: rotorcraft tail boom](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035302): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell UH-1H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035302/cases.md?model=1181407), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035302/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell UH-1H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1181407), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell UH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=1181407), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Bell UH-1H, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=1181407), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell UH-1H, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181407), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the helicopter exhibited a “sudden bounce/shake that became extremely violent.” He immediately began a descent for landing in a corn field. About 50 feet above ground level, the helicopter began an uncommanded 180° turn and landed upright in the field. The tail boom separated and was located in the corn field near the fuselage. The fuselage and main rotor blades were damaged, and the main rotor transmission was dislocated from the mounts, consistent with the forced landing. The operator reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure associated with the helicopter, and that the engine was still running after impact. However, because the operator did not make the helicopter available for a postaccident examination, the reason for the violent bouncing/shaking and subsequent tail boom separation could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 2023, at 0840 central daylight time, a Bell UH-1H helicopter, N900VF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Woodlawn, Illinois. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural application flight. The pilot reported that the helicopter exhibited a “sudden bounce/shake that became extremely violent.” He immediately began a descent for landing in a corn field. About 50 feet above ground level, the helicopter began an uncommanded 180° turn and landed upright in the field. The tail boom separated and was located in the corn field near the fuselage. The fuselage and main rotor blades were damaged, and the main rotor transmission was dislocated from the mounts, consistent with the forced landing. The operator reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure associated with the helicopter, and that the engine was still running after impact. The operator did not make the helicopter available for a postaccident examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N900VF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N900VF-2024-08-10), registration cancelled 2024-08-10, S/N 68-16526, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL UH-1H - Registry model: [Bell UH-1H](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1h) (registry code 1181407) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming T53L-703](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t53l-703) (registry code 41557, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 68-16526 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 7366 - 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, May 6, 2023, 96.2 hours before - Departed: MVN, Mount Vernon, IL - Destination: N/A, Woodlawn, IL - Airport: N/A, N/A - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 15, 2022; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 5,933 total, 300 in this make and model, 5,811 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KMVN, 17 nm away - METAR: METAR KMVN 111356Z AUTO 22009KT 10SM CLR 25/18 A3001 ## 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 20230711010509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230711010509A), Jul 11, 2023: Bell UH-1H, Woodlawn, IL, Substantial damage. The aircraft was located in a farm field north east of Woodlawn IL. The lat/long of the accident scene is 38 degree 19 minutes 58 seconds north by 89 degrees… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192602. 12.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16710313&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Report%20--%20CEN23LA295_redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16711487&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Stmt%20--%20CEN23LA295_redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement to FAA (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18963183&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Stmt%20to%20FAA%20--%20CEN23LA295-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16711979&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN23LA295-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16712299&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Stmts%20--%20CEN23LA295_redacted-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.