Bell UH-1D N849DB

Summary

On 26 February 2025 at about 18:00 local time, a Bell UH-1D registered N849DB was involved in an accident near DeLand, Florida, 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

26 February 2025 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

DeLand, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Deland Muni-Sidney H Taylor Fl (DED)

Coordinates

29.0587, -81.2890

Aircraft

Bell UH-1D

Registration

N849DB

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1970

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA25LA380

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s loss of helicopter control during landing approach in strong wind conditions, which resulted in tail rotor contact with the ground during landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Two pilots were attempting to reposition the vintage, experimental-exhibition category helicopter into a hangar to protect it from hail damage before a severe cold front arrived. The pilots initially attempted to land the helicopter on a movable skid, but because the skid was too close to a building (given the wind conditions), the pilots landed the helicopter before one of the pilots disembarked and moved the skid. The accident pilot then took off in the helicopter and flew in a roughly circular pattern to approach the skid for landing. During the flight the helicopter “developed a severe shake,” so the pilot decided to immediately land the helicopter on the grass below. During the landing, the helicopter’s tail rotor struck the ground, substantially damaging it and its mount/drive system. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. He further described that at the time of the accident the wind velocity was about 30 knots, and “I wish it had not been so windy, with the wind whipping around the building. If the skid had been in an area of clear air, it would have been fine.”

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.