# NTSB DEN81FA029: Bell UH-1B, N46942, Williston, ND, May 1, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 1, 1981
- Place: Williston, ND · WILLISTON, ND
- Location: 48.1895° N, 103.6491° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Williston, ND, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1895&lon=-103.6491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 8 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81FA029
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA029

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3650   81/5/1  NR.WILLISTON,ND       BELL UH-1B          CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 34, 6070
        TIME - 1849                    N46942              PX-  7  0  0  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 29 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         WILLISTON,ND                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - OPERATIONAL SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL: DEFICIENCY,COMPANY MAINTAINED EQPMT,SERVICES,REGULATION
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL GRADE-IMPROPER
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: NOZZLE,FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OBSTRUCTED
           POWERPLANT - TURBINE ASSEMBLY: BLADE,TURBINE WHEEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERHEATED
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- USING UNLEADED AUTO/NO 1 DIESEL FUEL.4 NOZZLES OBSTD,SVRL TURB BLADES FAILED FM OVRHT/BLADE CREEP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46942](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46942-2014-10-09), registration cancelled 2014-10-09, S/N 63-8521, 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-55 SER TS](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-55-ser-ts) (registry code 41555, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810501021029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810501021029A), May 1, 1981: Bell UH1B, Williston, ND, Destroyed, 7 fatal. Engine failed while flying close to trees en route. Impacted hillside. Auto and improper jet fuel. FAR 133 aircraft

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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