Fatal NTSB investigations: Bell UH-1B

15 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell UH-1B. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

19802026
Fatal NTSB investigations: Bell UH-1B per year, 1980–2026: 15 cases
19801
19811
19822
19853
19891
19901
19911
19971
20001
20131
20222

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181410'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB ANC22FA047Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell UH1B · Clear, AKA loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Jun 27, 2022 · N9970F · DestroyedNTSB ERA22FA279Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportBell UH-1B · Amherstdale, WVthe operator’s failure to adequately inspect the former military turbine powered helicopter, which allowed an engine issue to progress and result in a loss of engine power and a subsequent loss of control after the helicopter struck powerlines during a forced…Jun 22, 2022 · N98F · DestroyedNTSB WPR13FA411Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH 1B · Detroit, ORThe fatigue failure of the upper two tailboom attachment points, which resulted in the tailboom separating from the fuselage during logging operations. Contributing to the accident was poor maintenance throughout the helicopter’s operational life.Sep 16, 2013 · N204UH · Substantial damageNTSB LAX00LA239Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Arbuckle, CAthe partial failure of the tail rotor pitch change control rod that resulted in an attempted run-on landing in dark night conditions.Jun 23, 2000 · N807SB · DestroyedNTSB SEA97FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSouthern Aero UH-1B · Skykomish, WAA fatigue fracture in the main rotor mast, which resulted in an in flight separation of the main rotor from the helicopter. Contributing to the accident was insufficient Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness standards and requirements for the aircraft.Aug 27, 1997 · N896W · Substantial damageNTSB ANC91LA058Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Dog Fish Bay, AKThe pilot's exceeding the gross weight of the aircraft and inadequate supervision by company management. Contributing to the accident was the high vegetation.May 21, 1991 · N87966 · DestroyedNTSB MKC90DCQ02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell UH-1B · Ulysses, KSThe pilot failed to maintain proper rotor RPM, while maneuvering over a high obstruction (power line) at the end of a swath run, which resulted in an inadvertent descent & collision with the terrain. The high obstruction was considered to be a related factor.May 6, 1990 · N8142W · DestroyedNTSB ATL89DKG06Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBell UH-1B · Plains, GAImproper modification of the helicopter by the company/operator, and failure of the spray boom, which resulted in mast bumping, and subsequent failure of the main rotor assembly.Sep 29, 1989 · N840MC · DestroyedNTSB FTW85FA310Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Saint James, LAAcft was at a 150' hover preparing to pick up a log when it experienced a power loss. Witnesses stated that they heard a loud 'bang' and the pilot radioed 'get out of the way'. Acft autorotated thru 60' to 80' trees with very low rotor RPM and impacted with…Aug 8, 1985 · N1385W · DestroyedNTSB SEA85LA151Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Hoquiam, WAThe helicopter was being used during an external load operation to move large blocks of wood. However, while hovering, the sling broke. Subsequently, a block of wood struck a company employee on the head while he was working on the ground. The employee was…Jun 25, 1985 · N4991D · No damageNTSB SEA85FA134Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Juneau, AKWhile engaged in a log slinging operation over mountainous, densely forested terrain the rotor craft suffered a total power loss forcing the pilot to execute an autorotative landing into high conifer trees. Disassembly of the engine revealed evidence that the…Jun 11, 1985 · N99676 · DestroyedNTSB LAX82AA274Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportBell UH-1B · Valencia, CAAcft being used to film movie scene depicting attack of village typical of villges in viet nam. Acft was about 25 ft AGL & above location where special effects explosives were detonated. As the plt turned acft for camera coverage, acft'stail section was…Jul 23, 1982 · N87701 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX82FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH1B · Lagunitas, CAHelicopter crashed into a reservoir and sank in 60 feet of water after tail boom separated during a log slinging operation. The pilot had lifted and began to back up when a loud noise was heard and the tail separated. The log was released and an auto-rotation…Jan 27, 1982 · N96142 · DestroyedNTSB DEN81FA029Accident · 8 fatalClosedBell UH-1B · Williston, NDMay 1, 1981 · N46942 · DestroyedNTSB DEN80FA060Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell UH-1B · Provo, UTSep 2, 1980 · N99478 · Substantial damage