# NTSB SEA85LA151: Bell UH-1B, N4991D, Hoquiam, WA, June 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1985, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Hoquiam, WA
- Coordinates: 47.110874, -123.959487 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1109&lon=-123.9595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA151

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED DURING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION TO MOVE LARGE BLOCKS OF WOOD. HOWEVER, WHILE HOVERING, THE SLING BROKE. SUBSEQUENTLY, A BLOCK OF WOOD STRUCK A COMPANY EMPLOYEE ON THE HEAD WHILE HE WAS WORKING ON THE GROUND.THE EMPLOYEE WAS FATALLY INJURED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, hover
  - pickup equipment - failure,total (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4991D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4991D-1988-07-08), registration cancelled 1988-07-08, S/N 61765 (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: 61-765
- Airframe hours: 1995
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-11D 684 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Air Lift Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1984, 55 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,700 total, 2,370 in this make and model, 190 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19850625057139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850625057139A), Jun 25, 1985: Bell UH1B, Hoquiam, WA, 1 fatal. While hovering during transport of large blocks of wood the sling broke. Fatal head injury to person on the 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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