# NTSB WPR23LA118: Bell UH-1B, N234SJ, Orland, CA, March 2, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 2, 2023, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Orland, CA · Orchard - Coordinates: 39.727032, -122.07095 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7270&lon=-122.0709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 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): 106831 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106831/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106831 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA118 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell UH-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=1181410), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Bell UH-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1181410), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell UH-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1181410), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Bell UH-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1181410), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell UH-1B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bell UH-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1181410), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the final run for the aerial application flight, he noticed the engine spooling down. He attempted to land on a nearby road but collided with the terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter or engine that would have precluded normal operation and that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N234SJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N234SJ), registered now, S/N 388, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B - Registry model: [Bell UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (registry code 1181410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41549, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 388 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 8295 - Engines: Lycoming T53-L-13B 1200 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Porter Flying Services Inc, doing business as Agricultural - Registered owner: Porter Flying Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 2023 - Departed: Chico, CA - Destination: Chicoc, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 21,000 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KCIC, 14 nm away - METAR: KCIC 022247Z 15009KT 10SM CLR 13/M01 A3009 ## 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 20230302001889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230302001889A), Mar 2, 2023: Bell UH-1B, Orland, CA, Substantial damage. After taking off from county road 24, pilot reported running out of fuel during aerial application on an orchard. The pilot said in a verbal statement that it… ## Other investigations on N234SJ (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX04LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA015), Oct 16, 2003: Bell UH-1B (N234SJ), Durham, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Separation of the power turbine shaft retaining bolt resulting in extensive power turbine area damage and a loss of shaft output power. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106831. 4.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15367423&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA118%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15217030&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20photo%20WPR23LA118-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15428798&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20WPR23LA118-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.