Bell UH-1H N900VF

Summary

On 11 July 2023 at about 13:40 local time, a Bell UH-1H registered N900VF, operated by Kash Helicopter Services LLC, was involved in an accident near Woodlawn, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 July 2023 at 13:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Woodlawn, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

N/A (N/A)

Coordinates

38.5600, -89.0453

Aircraft

Bell UH-1H

Registration

N900VF

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1968

Engines

1

Operator

Kash Helicopter Services LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mount Vernon → Woodlawn

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN23LA295

Nobody was injured.

The separation of the tail boom from the fuselage for reasons that could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the helicopter exhibited a “sudden bounce/shake that became extremely violent.” He immediately began a descent for landing in a corn field. About 50 feet above ground level, the helicopter began an uncommanded 180° turn and landed upright in the field. The tail boom separated and was located in the corn field near the fuselage. The fuselage and main rotor blades were damaged, and the main rotor transmission was dislocated from the mounts, consistent with the forced landing. The operator reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure associated with the helicopter, and that the engine was still running after impact. However, because the operator did not make the helicopter available for a postaccident examination, the reason for the violent bouncing/shaking and subsequent tail boom separation could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.