Probable cause
The failure of left tailboom upper attachment fitting as a result of fatigue.
NTSB analysis
The helicopter experienced a structural failure in one of the tailboom attach fittings while hovering near a cliff, about 200 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot heard a loud sound and felt the helicopter yaw slightly. He made a precautionary landing without incident. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed the left tailboom upper attachment fitting had fractured as a result of fatigue. The fatigue origin most likely emanated from fretting and/or corrosion pits at the fastener to fitting interface. There was no engineering data showing how the combination of the multiple STC modifications of the helicopter affected the helicopter's structural integrity.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10TA318 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 24, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Santa Barbara, California
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell UH-1H
- N-number
- N205KS
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Public aircraft
- Purpose of flight
- PUBL
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.