- Date
- June 2, 2022, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place
- Reno, NV
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N91JKBell HH-1H
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class
- Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- FAA
- FAA report
- 20220602009349A
- Case key
- 105222
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of control following the inadvertent placement of his foot behind the anti-torque pedal.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The two pilots were practicing pinnacle landings and takeoffs on a hilltop. The pilot in command (PIC) in the right seat was performing a takeoff when the helicopter encountered a wind gust that resulted in a right yaw. The PIC applied left anti-torque pedal to arrest the yaw when his left heel slipped off the front end of the footrest. His foot became wedged between the pedal and footrest, which resulted in an uncontrollable left spin. The PIC reduced collective, and the helicopter landed hard. The landing skids collapsed on landing, substantially damaging the fuselage and tail. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N91JK
- Reported as
- Bell HH-1H
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 70-2482
- Engine
- Lycoming T53-L-703, 1,800 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public aircraft - local · Part 91
- Operator
- Washoe County Sheriff Dept
- Registered owner
- Washoe County Sheriff Dept
- Airworthiness certificate
- None
- Last inspection
- Continuous airworthiness · July 9, 2020
- Departed
- RTS · Reno, NV
- Destination
- RTS · Reno, NV
- Equipment
- ADS-B
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 64
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- June 11, 2021
- Seat
- Right
- Restraint
- 4-point
- Flight hours
- 1,154 total · 187 in this make and model · 1,077 as pilot in command · 15 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
- Role
- Co-pilot
- Age
- 56
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- December 31, 2021
- Seat
- Left
- Restraint
- 4-point
- Flight hours
- 5,500 total · 700 in this make and model · 5,500 as pilot in command · 50 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days · 5 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Variable at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 80 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter
- 3006.00 inHg
- Observed at
- KRNO, 14 nm away
- METAR
- KRNO 022255Z 27012G28KT 10SM SCT110 SCT150 BKN250 26/M01 A2989 RMK AO2 PK WND 29028/2247 WSHFT 2159 SLP076 ACSL DSNT S THRU W T02611006
Docket · 3
The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2022, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.8 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.