Bell UH-1B N204JB accident near Arvilla, North Dakota

Probable cause

The aircraft owner/mechanic/pilot's installation of an improper tail boom assembly and the resulting fatigue failure of the tail boom's attach fittings.

NTSB analysis

The helicopter pilot reported that he heard a “crack” and a “bang” when he pulled up at the end of the field during the spray run. He stated the helicopter began spinning to the right as it gained altitude. He rolled off the throttle and was able to clear a row of trees at the end of the field. The helicopter impacted the terrain on one side of the tree line and the tail boom was located approximately 100 feet away, on the other side of the tree line. The examination revealed the tail boom’s upper left attach fitting contained fatigue fractures that originated at the upper and lower rivet holes. Corrosion was also present along the fractured surface. The tail boom’s upper right attachment bolt contained a fatigue fracture which had multiple origins. The tail boom’s lower right attach fitting fractured as a result of overload. The tail boom involved in this accident was installed on the helicopter on February 20, 2006, and had been removed from a UH-1F helicopter. The UH-1F tail boom is 23.8 inches longer than the UH-1B tail boom that was originally on the helicopter. The pilot/owner, who is an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authority, performed this maintenance. There is no load data nor is there a Supplemental Type Certificate available for this installation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09LA565 for the full record.