Bell UH 1H accident near Oakdale, California, July 24, 2018
On July 24, 2018 at about 1:00 am local time, a 1967 Bell UH 1H (helicopter), registered N107CH, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Oakdale, California. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control during a precautionary landing following an abnormal noise in-flight, the source of which 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
- July 24, 2018 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Oakdale, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell UH 1H No Series, built 1967 · all UH 1Hs on the register
- Registration
- N107CH · registry record · serial 67-17290
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a cross-country flight, the helicopter started to produce an unusual noise. The pilot initiated a precautionary landing and the noise became louder. About 5 ft off the ground before touchdown, the helicopter entered an uncontrolled climb and yaw. The pilot was unable to recover from the loss of directional control and the helicopter subsequently impacted terrain. Examination of fractured pieces from the main rotor drive shaft and the swashplate assembly exhibited features consistent with fracture from overstress; however, it is likely that this damage was sustained during the impact. Although it is possible that one of the components may have failed from overstress in-flight, this would have required an abnormally high load input to one or more components. The exam did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter, and the source of the noise reported by the pilot 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
- Miscellaneous/other during enroute (cruise)
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,905.8 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, May 21, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 9,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell T53 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MAE Madera CA at 11:00 pm
- Destination: LHM Lincoln CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 16 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 100°F (38°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.