# NTSB LAX82AA274: Bell UH-1B, N87701, Valencia, CA, July 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1982, 02:20 local (09:20 UTC)
- Place: Valencia, CA
- Coordinates: 34.409702, -118.559295 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4097&lon=-118.5593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 6 minor; on the ground: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1983
- Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72906
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82AA274
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72906/pdf
- Board report AAR8414 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8414.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82AA274

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - air/ground communications - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - air/ground communications - not performed, ground personnel (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - not performed, ground personnel (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - foreign object damage
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - burned
  - rotor drive system - vibration
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Propeller/rotor contact to person, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT BEING USED TO FILM MOVIE SCENE DEPICTING ATTACK OF VILLAGE TYPICAL OF VILLGES IN VIET NAM. ACFT WAS ABOUT 25 FT AGL & ABOVE LOCATION WHERE SPECIAL EFFECTS EXPLOSIVES WERE DETONATED. AS THE PLT TURNED ACFT FOR CAMERA COVERAGE, ACFT'STAIL SECTION WAS ENGULFED IN FIREBALL CREATED BY SPECIAL EFFECTS EXPLOSION. T/R ASSEMBLY SEPARATED & ACFT DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL. M/R BLADE STRUCK 3 ACTORS ON GROUND. THE BOARD DETERMINED THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DETONATION OF A DEBRIS-LADEN SPECIAL EFFECTS EXPLOSION TOO NEAR THE ACFT. THE PROXIMITY OF THE ACFT TO THE EXPLOSIONS WAS DUE TO THE FAILURE TO ESTABLISH DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS & COORDINATION BETWEEN THE PILOT, WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE ACFT OPERATION, & THE FILM DIRECTOR, WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE FILMING OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87701](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87701-1995-04-12), registration cancelled 1995-04-12, S/N 6414038 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Registry model: [Bell UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (registry code 1181410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1162
- Airframe hours: 5817
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-L-11D 920 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Western Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Helicopters
- Departed: 4CA4, VALENCIA, CA
- Destination: 4CA4, VALENCIA, CA
- Airport: 4CA4, Indian Dunes

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,514 total, 1,536 in this make and model, 4,364 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: variable at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °F

## 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 19820723031869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820723031869A), Jul 23, 1982: Bell UH1B, Valencia, CA, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. Tail rotor severed by ground explosive debris during hover for a film scene. Main rotors hit actors on ground.

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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