# NTSB DEN82DA147: Bell UH1B, N88389, Bryce Canyon, UT, July 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1982, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Bryce Canyon, UT
- Coordinates: 37.459617, -112.500625 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4596&lon=-112.5006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING AN APPROACH TO A 10,000 FT MOUNTAIN, LET THE RPM DECAY AND MADE A HARD LANDING. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 12,500 FEET. THERE WAS ABOUT 500 OR 600 POUNDS OF CARGO ON THE LONG LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88389](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88389-1988-03-11), registration cancelled 1988-03-11, S/N 638728 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH1B
- Registry model: [Bell UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (registry code 1181410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 63-8728
- Engines: LYCOMING 753-11 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Beartooth
- Registered owner: Blain Helicopters Sales, Inc.
- Departed: BRYCE CANYON, UT
- Destination: BRYCE CANYON, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 9,300 total, 3,250 in this make and model, 8,540 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles

## 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 19820728049799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820728049799A), Jul 28, 1982: Bell UH1B, Panquitch, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot allowed rotor RPM to get too low and aircraft settled with power into the ground. Site elevation 10,000 feet.

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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