Western International Avia INC UH 1H accident near Arbuckle, California, October 13, 2017
On October 13, 2017 at about 5:15 pm local time, a 1965 Western International Avia INC UH 1H (helicopter), registered N247PV, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Arbuckle, California (Private Strip airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A collective control malfunction for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 13, 2017 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Arbuckle, California · Private Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Western International Avia INC UH 1H, built 1965
- Registration
- N247PV · registry record · serial 65-9649
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and mechanic reported that, before the accident, the mechanic had adjusted the helicopter’s main rotor track and balance. After the mechanic made the final adjustments, the pilot hovered the helicopter to a wash rack for cleaning. Subsequently, while the pilot was repositioning the helicopter to a nearby landing cart and just as the front portions of the skids were over the cart, the collective began to oscillate, followed by the skids striking the cart. The pilot attempted to land the helicopter as it continued to oscillate, but the right skid slid off the cart. The helicopter then rolled onto its right side and impacted the ground. The mechanic reported that all components prior to the accident were in good working order and that the track and balance adjustments had resulted in satisfactory monitoring equipment readings prior to the accident. Examination of the helicopter did not reveal evidence of any preaccident malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the oscillations could not be determined based on the available information.
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
- Flight control sys malf/fail during landing defining event
- Hard landing during landing
- Dynamic rollover during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Rotorcraft flight control › Main rotor control › Malfunction
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 9,500 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming T53-L-13 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N/A Arbuckle CA at 5:12 pm
- Destination: N/A Arbuckle CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KMVY, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on February 4, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Record of Memorandum - Regarding NTSB 6120 Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Email - Federal Aviation Administration | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.