Bell UH-1H accident near Rock Springs, Wyoming, July 15, 2008
On July 15, 2008 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Bell UH-1H (helicopter), registered N3276T, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Rock Springs, Wyoming. It was an external-load flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 1 bearing for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 2008 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Rock Springs, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell UH-1H · all UH-1Hs on the register
- Registration
- N3276T · no longer on the register · serial 69-15911
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- External-load flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an external load operation involving lifting a drill for repositioning, the pilot heard multiple loud reports (compressor stalls) coming from the rear of the helicopter, followed by an adverse yaw. The pilot jettisoned the drill and pointed the helicopter down a hill to avoid nearby ground personnel. The helicopter landed hard on its skids and then rolled onto its left side. During the engine examination investigators noted no movement of the power turbine during the visual examination and metal pieces were found in the exhaust. The compressor turbine leading edge blades and inlet guide vane trailing edges were damaged. Further examination of the engine revealed that the No. 1 bearing and associated hardware showed evidence of over-temperature exposure, but the exact cause for the over-temperature could not be determined. Pieces of bearing cage were found lying loose at the bottom of the reduction gearbox cavity and the ball bearings were grouped to one side and smeared over. While the manufacturer indicated that a bearing cage failure may have initiated the failure of the bearing, the investigation was unable to conclusively determine the cause of the bearing failure.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during maneuvering (hover) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (hover)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › Compressor section › Failure
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 11,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 55 in the last 90 days; 55 in the last 30 days; 9,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 25, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,306 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, July 14, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 9,500 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell T53-L-703 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Leading Edge Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: Rock Springs WY at 1:30 pm
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 285° at 15 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N3276T the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.