# NTSB WPR22LA205: Bell HH-1H, N91JK, Reno, NV, June 2, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 2, 2022, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.6939, -119.94031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6939&lon=-119.9403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105222
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105222/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105222
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA205

## Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of control following the inadvertent placement of his foot behind the anti-torque pedal.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Bell HH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1180605), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell HH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1180605), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell HH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=1180605), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Bell HH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1180605), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Bell HH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1180605), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Bell HH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1180605), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell HH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1180605), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bell HH-1H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1180605), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91JK), registered now, S/N 70-2482 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL HH-1H
- Registry model: [Bell HH-1H](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-hh-1h) (registry code 1180605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 70-2482
- Engines: Lycoming T53-L-703 1800 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; 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
- Co-pilot; age 56; injuries: none; 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

## 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 20220602009349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220602009349A), Jun 2, 2022: Bell HH-1H, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. On 06/02/2022 at approximately 3:00PM PDT, Bell HH-1H N91JK, departed Reno-stead airport to conduct familiarization/exercise training for the washoe county…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105222. 3.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14026608&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statements (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14026653&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 4 photos, 796 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14028524&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR22LA205-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.

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