Bell UH-1V accident near Cordes Lakes, AZ
On September 21, 2013, a Bell UH-1V (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Cordes Lakes, AZ. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 21, 2013
- Place
- Cordes Lakes, AZ
- Aircraft
- Bell UH-1V · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.395°N, 112.047°W
- NTSB ID
- 20130921X71327
Official records · WPR13FA417
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn September 21, 2013, about 1150 mountain standard time, a Bell UH-1V helicopter, N22490, was destroyed when it impacted the ground near Cordes Lakes, Arizona, following the in-flight separation of the main rotor hub and blade assembly. The owner/pilot and the non-pilot rated passenger were fatally injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan was filed for the flight. The helicopter was based at Scottsdale airport (SDL), Scottsdale, Arizona, and reportedly departed SDL the morning of the accident. According to witnesses, the helicopter landed at Sedona airport (SEZ), Sedona, Arizona, that morning, where a fly-in and aircraft exhibition event was being held. SEZ was located approximately 75 nautical miles (nm) north of SDL. The pilot and passenger re-boarded the helicopter about 2 hours later, and departed SEZ. On departure, the helicopter first air-taxied along runway 3, which was approximately downwind, about 100 feet above ground level. It was then observed to make a course reversal near the end of the runway, and flew along runway 21 before departing the area. A short time later, eyewitnesses who were located about 30 miles south-southwest of SEZ observed the airborne helicopter "explode" near them, and telephoned 911 to report the accident. A partial radar track associated with the helicopter indicated that the first target was acquired about 1138, at an indicated altitude of 6,500 feet
Probable cause
The pilot's improper maintenance on the helicopter’s main rotor blade pitch control system, which resulted in an in-flight loss of main rotor blade pitch control, mast bumping, and mast failure.
More accidents in AZ
- De Havilland DHC-6-300, Sep 27, 1989
- Cessna 402C, Jun 19, 1992
- Piper PA-31-350, Aug 17, 1983
- Piper PA-31-350, Feb 13, 1995
- Cessna 421C, Sep 2, 1995
Browse: Arizona · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
