# NTSB FTW98LA405: Bell UH-1L, N5107J, Price, UT, September 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 1998, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Price, UT - Coordinates: 39.669376, -111.009155 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6694&lon=-111.0092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43977 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA405 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43977/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA405 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Factors were the high density altitude flight conditions, the unfavorable wind condition, and the none suitable terrain for an autorotation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - loss of tail rotor effectiveness - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was moving logs off the hillside (elevation 7,860 feet, density altitude 10,775 feet), up a narrow canyon that ran approximately north and south. The wind was out of the south at 10 to 12 knots, and after he set down the logs, the helicopter started to turn to the right. He said that prior to the turning, there were no unusual noises and he did not feel any control feedback. He further stated that he realized that he had lost tail rotor directional control and he autorotated to a landing spot. Immediately prior to landing, the helicopter's landing skids impacted a beaver pond and the aircraft bounced into the air nosing over allowing the main rotor blades to hit the ground. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 1998, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, a Bell UH-1L helicopter, N5107J, was substantially damaged following impact with terrain near Price, Utah. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, received minor injuries. The helicopter was owned/operated by Precision Air LLC of Provo, Utah, under Title 14 CFR Part 133. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the external load flight which had been moving logs in the local area for the previous 60 minutes. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he was moving logs off the hillside (elevation 7,860 feet, density altitude 10,775 feet), up a narrow canyon (Cow Canyon, 38 miles northeast of Price) that ran approximately north and south. He was using a 180 foot long-line and the wind was out of the south at 10 to 12 knots. He stated that "I set down the logs and was hovering with a left quartering crosswind to pick up chokers when the aircraft suddenly started to turn to the right." The pilot reported that he applied full left pedal, but the right turn continued. He stated that prior to the turn, "there were no unusual noises and I did not feel any control feedback." He further stated that "I realized that I had lost tail rotor directional control." After several attempts to move away from co-workers on the ground, he entered an autorotation to a landing spot. He reported that his skids contacted a beaver dam and the aircraft bounced into the air nosing over allowing the main rotor blades to hit the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side and an engine fire ignited which was immediately extinguished by co-workers. Postaccident examination of tail rotor by the pilot revealed that "one of the tail rotor blades was broken almost in half." He said that he did not "see mud or impact damage on the leading edge of either [tail rotor] blade." The pilot's written statement did not indicate any abnormal aircraft vibrations prior to the accident. The FAA inspector that visited the accident site stated that the tail rotor blade was bent, and that he identified "several tail rotor blade and main rotor blade ground strike scars." He further stated that the ground scars were located in damp, soft, humus, grass covered soil. Additionally the main blade had struck vegetation and the beaver dam. He reported that postaccident examination of the aircraft's drive train confirmed continuity throughout, and that no operational abnormalities were identified with the anti torque pitch change mechanism. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5107J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5107J-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 6217, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell UH-1L - Registry model: [Bell UH-1L](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1l) (registry code 1181401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41552, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6217 - Engines: Lycoming T-53-L-13B 1350 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Registered owner: Precision Air LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15,000 total, 730 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19980919025679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980919025679A), Sep 19, 1998: Bell UH1L, Price, UT, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 19, 1998, approximately 1530 mountain daylight time, a Bell UH-1L, N5107J, was substantially damaged following impact with terrain after the… 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.