# NTSB WPR21LA236: Bell UH-1H, N398M, Townsend, MT, June 15, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 15, 2021, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Townsend, MT - Coordinates: 46.3245, -111.291 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3245&lon=-111.2910&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 103312 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103312/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103312 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA236 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control after an encounter with settling with power during approach at an altitude that was too low for recovery, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell UH-1H, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181407), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell UH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=1181407), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell UH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1181407), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell UH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=1181407), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the approach to the landing area, he made visual contact with the airport manager who cleared him to land on the west end of the pull-off tarmac. The pilot noted evidence of wind from the blowing willows from south-west. He initiated a left downwind approach, and upon turning from base to final at 500 ft above ground level, the helicopter started to settle with power and the pilot experienced a nearly direct tailwind. Due to the approach speed and proximity to the ground, the pilot was unable to fly out, so he leveled the helicopter and committed to landing. The helicopter touched down hard, spun right about 120° and rolled left upside down. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and postaccident fire. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N398M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N398M), registered now, S/N 65-09984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL UH-1H - Registry model: [Bell UH-1H](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1h) (registry code 1181407) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 65-09984 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 14620 - Engines: LYCOMING T53-L-703 1800 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Firefighting, Public use - Operator: Usda Forest Service Fepp - Registered owner: Usda Forest Service Fepp - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: Annual, December 7, 2020 - Departed: HELENa, MT - Destination: TOWNSEND HELISPOT, MT - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: NA - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 18, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,079 total, 2,681 in this make and model, 6,429 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KHLN, 33 nm away - METAR: KHLN 152253Z 31010KT 10SM CLR 32/09 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP078 T03220094 ## 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 20210615007759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210615007759A), Jun 15, 2021: Bell UH-1H, Townsend, MT, Destroyed. On June 15, 2021 at approximately 1700 mountain daylight time, a Bell UH1H helicopter, N398M had a hard landing, roll over and post crash fire on an access… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103312. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12596822&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo - unknown source (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12409617&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.pdf 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.