# NTSB ERA25LA380: Bell Helicopter UH-1D, N849DB, DeLand, FL, February 26, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 26, 2025, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: DeLand, FL - Coordinates: 29.058652, -81.288969 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0587&lon=-81.2890&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 9, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 201916 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA380 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201916/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201916 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA380 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of helicopter control during landing approach in strong wind conditions, which resulted in tail rotor contact with the ground during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter UH-1D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1181330), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter UH-1D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181330), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter UH-1D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181330), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter UH-1D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181330), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis Two pilots were attempting to reposition the vintage, experimental-exhibition category helicopter into a hangar to protect it from hail damage before a severe cold front arrived. The pilots initially attempted to land the helicopter on a movable skid, but because the skid was too close to a building (given the wind conditions), the pilots landed the helicopter before one of the pilots disembarked and moved the skid. The accident pilot then took off in the helicopter and flew in a roughly circular pattern to approach the skid for landing. During the flight the helicopter “developed a severe shake,” so the pilot decided to immediately land the helicopter on the grass below. During the landing, the helicopter’s tail rotor struck the ground, substantially damaging it and its mount/drive system. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. He further described that at the time of the accident the wind velocity was about 30 knots, and “I wish it had not been so windy, with the wind whipping around the building. If the skid had been in an area of clear air, it would have been fine.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N849DB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N849DB), registered now, S/N 8494, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL HELICOPTER CORP UH-1D - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter UH-1D](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-uh-1d) (registry code 1181330) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming T5313B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t5313b) (registry code 41613, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 8494 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 10013 - Engines: LYCOMING T5313B 1400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 12, 2020, 13 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: DED, Deland Muni-Sidney H Taylor Fld - Equipment: Video recording device, Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,000 total, 9 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: DED, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KDED 261815Z AUTO 22006KT 10SM CLR 25/09 A3004 RMK AO2 TSNO T02510091= ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201916. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19633561&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA380_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19633132&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Pilot%20Statement%20Summary%20LA380-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19633488&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20Accident%20Summary%20LA380-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 285 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19633571&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos%20LA380-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.