Accident: Bell UH 1H
May 25, 2018 · Olympia, WA
NTSB numberWPR18LA147Event id20180525X81452
- 0
- Fatalities
- 1
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Minor injuries
- 0
- Uninjured
Probable cause
A loss of tail rotor thrust due to the improper installation of the tail rotor assembly by maintenance personnel resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter as he began transition into forward flight from a hover, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the failure of company quality control personnel to identify the improper installation of the tail rotor assembly before certifying the helicopter for flight, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.
Source: National Transportation Safety Board. Record last changed Oct 28, 2026, 10:54 UTC.
Aircraft involved
- Aircraft
- Bell UH 1H
- Registration
- N111DR
- Year built
- 1996
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rules
- Part 91: general aviation
- Defining event
- Initial climb Part(s) separation from AC
Source: National Transportation Safety Board aviation accident database. Counts only; Voydar holds no names.
Nearest airports
Airports with a Voydar profile closest to the recorded position. Proximity only.
- Olympia Regional Airport (OLM)0 nm (1 km) north-west
- Gray Army Air Field (GRF)15 nm (27 km) north-east
- Chehalis Centralia Airport (CLS)18 nm (33 km) south
This page restates the NTSB's public record. Injury figures are counts; Voydar does not hold or publish the names of anyone involved.