Bell UH-1H accident near Woodlawn, Illinois, July 11, 2023
On July 11, 2023 at about 1:40 pm local time, a 1968 Bell UH-1H (helicopter), registered N900VF, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Woodlawn, Illinois (N/A airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The separation of the tail boom from the fuselage for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2023 · about 1:40 pm local time
- Place
- Woodlawn, Illinois · N/A · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell UH-1H, built 1968 · all UH-1Hs on the register
- Registration
- N900VF · no longer on the register · serial 68-16526
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Part(s) separation from AC during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Fuselage › Rotorcraft tail boom › Unknown/Not determined
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,933 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 111 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 5,811 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 15, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,366 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 6, 2023; 96.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 9,500 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell T53-L-703 (turboshaft); 3,979 hours total
- Operator: Kash Helicopter Services LLC
The flight
- Departed from: MVN Mount Vernon IL at 12:40 pm
- Destination: N/A Woodlawn IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 am from KMVN, 17 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KMVN 111356Z AUTO 22009KT 10SM CLR 25/18 A3001
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN23LA295.