# NTSB SEA94LA183: Bell UH-1B, N9645A, Pilot Rock, OR, July 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1994, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Pilot Rock, OR - Coordinates: 45.390983, -118.779571 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3910&lon=-118.7796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41978 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41978/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA183 ## Probable cause DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE 27000 HOUR HELICOPTER PILOT RECALLED THE AIRCRAFT ROTATING COUNTERCLOCKWISE AROUND ITS VERTICAL AXIS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. HE ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER NEAR HIS LOGGING CREW FOR RESCUE AFTER THE IMMINENT CRASH, AND RECALLED THAT THE PEDALS WOULD NOT MOVE, OR THAT THE LEFT PEDAL APPEARED TO BE STUCK. NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL DEFICIENCY WAS DISCOVERED DURING THE POST-CRASH INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT, OR COMPONENT INSPECTION OR DISASSEMBLY. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1994, at 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Bell UH-1B, N9645A, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain while conducting helicopter logging operations near Pilot Rock, Oregon. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was seriously injured. No flight plan was filed for the flight, and there was no report of an ELT activation. A small fire was set by the exhaust at the crash site. The pilot had pickled a load of logs prior to the accident, when he lost directional control of the aircraft. The helicopter descended to impact near the bottom of a draw or canyon. The pilot had little recollection of the events after the accident. As his medical condition improved, he stated that he recalled that the pedals would not move, and the aircraft rotated around its vertical axis counter-clockwise. During other interviews with the pilot, his recollection of the occurrence varied, including the apparent direction of rotation, and the recollection that the left pedal was stuck. He recalled attempting to "airstream" the aircraft, but found that to be unsuccessful. He then said he recalled attempting to maneuver back near his logging crew to crash, so that he wouldn't be far from rescue. The aircraft continued to rotate until impact. The wreckage was inspected after it was moved to a salvage yard. Tail rotor control continuity was established from the tail rotor through the tail boom. The nose was crushed, precluding establishing control continuity in the cabin section of the fuselage. The tail rotor drive components were shipped to Bell for testing and disassembly. No evidence of a mechanical malfunction was found during component disassembly and inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9645A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9645A-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 303 (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: 303 - Airframe hours: 8635 - Engines: LYCOMING T53-L13B 1400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Operator: Gary Knight, doing business as Blue Mountain Helicopters - Registered owner: R. Gary Knight - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 16, 1994, 4 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 27,000 total, 6,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19940717018739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940717018739A), Jul 17, 1994: Bell UH1B, Pilot Rock, OR, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on external hoist. Yaw and rotation until impact. 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.