# NTSB DEN80FA060: Bell UH-1B, N99478, Provo, UT, September 2, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 2, 1980
- Place: Provo, UT · PROVO, UT
- Location: 40.2338° N, 111.6585° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Provo, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2338&lon=-111.6585&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127480
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN80FA060
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FA060

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3697   80/9/2  NR.PROVO,UT           BELL UH-1B          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 32, 6150
        TIME - 0930                    N99478              PX-  1  3  0  CONSTRUCTION              TOTAL HOURS, 1300 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BASE CAMP                   LANDING ZONE
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
           HARD LANDING                                             TAKEOFF: ABORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPERLY SERVICED AIRCRAFT (GROUND CREW)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LACK OF LUBRICATION-SPECIFIC PART,NOT SYSTEM
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99478](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99478), registered now, S/N 63-8636, built 1963 (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 41549, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800902044299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800902044299A), Sep 2, 1980: Bell UH1B, Provo, UT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Helicopter crashed immediately after liftoff. Investigation revealed bearing failure in 42 degree gear box.

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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