# NTSB LAX82FA061: Bell UH1B, N96142, Lagunitas, CA, January 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1982, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lagunitas, CA
- Location: 38.0113° N, 122.7022° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lagunitas, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0113&lon=-122.7022&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71311
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71311/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - failure,total (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO A RESERVOIR AND SANK IN 60 FEET OF WATER AFTER TAIL BOOM SEPARATED DURING A LOG SLINGING OPERATION. THE PILOT HAD LIFTED AND BEGAN TO BACK UP WHEN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE TAIL SEPARATED. THE LOG WAS RELEASED AND AN AUTO-ROTATION WAS INITIATED. THE AIRCRAFT SANK UPON WATER CONTACT. EXTENSIVE FATIGUE CRACKING IN THE SKIN, AND FRETTING AND LOOSE RIVETS IN THE TAILBOOM WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96142](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96142-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 61-0756 (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: 61-756
- Airframe hours: 6116
- Engines: LYCOMING T53L11D 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Roland E. Maxwell
- Registered owner: Roland E. Maxwell
- Departed: LAGUNITAS, CA
- Destination: LAGUNITAS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 4,035 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 19820127002199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820127002199A), Jan 27, 1982: Bell UH1B, Lagunitas, CA, Destroyed. Tail boom separated during an external load lift. Crashed into a lake. Found fatigue crack in skin and top spar.

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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