Investigator In Charge (IIC): Folkerts, Michael
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Location: Chapelle, New Mexico
Accident Number: CEN22FA317
Date and Time: July 16, 2022, 19:20 Local
Registration: N911SZ
Aircraft: Bell UH-1H
Injuries: 4 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Public aircraft
On July 16, 2022, about 1920 mountain daylight time, a Bell UH-1H, N911SZ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chapelle, New Mexico. The pilot, two tactical flight observers, and the rescue specialist sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 41 United States Code public aircraft flight.
After several firefighting missions were flown in support of the U.S. Forest Service, the helicopter was fueled at Las Vegas Municipal Airport (LVS), Las Vegas, New Mexico. The helicopter departed LVS about 1838 and flew to the dip site/staging area followed by the firefighting location, then flew back to the staging area, where the remainder of the crew was loaded to return home to Double Eagle II Airport (AEG), Albuquerque, New Mexico.
About 1915, the helicopter departed the staging area on a westbound course. About 1920, the last automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data indicated the helicopter was about 0.5 mile east of the accident site. The helicopter was level on a westbound course about 550 above ground level of the accident site, with a steady groundspeed of 133 knots.
Two witnesses on a ridge about 0.5 mile east of the accident site were observing the sunset and reported the helicopter flew past their location westbound, then rapidly descended without making any turns. A large plume of dust occurred when the helicopter impacted the ground.
The helicopter impacted rural terrain with a westerly debris path. The initial impact area included a tail rotor tip cap that was partially buried. The left and right skids were about 38 ft and 77 ft beyond the initial impact area, respectively, and the main wreckage was found inverted about 160 ft beyond the initial impact area. The tail boom fractured at the aft end of the fuselage and was located about 20 ft beyond the main wreckage.
The main rotor was about 40 ft to the left of the main wreckage, with the main rotor mass fractured immediately below the hub. One main rotor blade was minimally damaged and the other blade was fractured at the spar, with the trailing edge separated and located nearby. The main rotor blade grips had minimal damage.
The helicopter was retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N911SZ
Model/Series: UH-1H
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLVS, 6870 ft msl
Observation Time: 19:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C /3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 11000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 150°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.23 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Las Vegas, NM (LVS)
Destination: Albuquerque, NM (AEG)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 4 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 4 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 35.38004,-105.23736 (est)
Helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances.
Date: 17-JUL-22
Time: 01:21:00Z
Regis#: N911SZ
Aircraft Make: BELL
Aircraft Model: UH1H
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 4
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal
Pax: 3 Fatal
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
Activity: PUBLIC USE
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: SAN MIGUEL COUNTY
State: NEW MEXICO
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.
Undersheriff Larry Koren
Lieutenant Fred Beers
Rescue Specialist Matthew King
Bernalillo County Deputy Sheriff Association is organizing this fundraiser.
Albuquerque, NM – On July 16 at approximately 7:20 pm, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office helicopter Metro 2 crashed just outside of Las Vegas, NM. The helicopter and its crew were assisting with a wildfire in the area, providing bucket drops and other air logistics needs to fire crews on the ground. There were no survivors. We are heartbroken and seek to raise funds to be distributed between the families equally.
Undersheriff Larry Koren
Lieutenant Fred Beers
Deputy Michael Levison
Rescue Specialist Matthew King
Three people from the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and one Bernalillo County Fire Department employee were killed Saturday night when the helicopter they were on crashed.
The four were headed back to Albuquerque in their Metro-2 helicopter after assisting crews with the East Mesa Fire, the sheriff's office tweeted early Sunday. They had been assisting with "providing bucket drops and other air logistics needs to fire crews on the ground," according to the sheriff's office. There were no survivors.
The four dead are Undersheriff Larry Koren, Lt. Fred Beers and Deputy Michael Levison from the sheriff's office, and Rescue Specialist Matthew King of Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue.
The specific cause of the crash was unknown as of Sunday afternoon, according to the sheriff's office.
"Today we are working with the Office of the Medical Investigator to recover the fallen from the crash site and escort them to Albuquerque," according to a post on the sheriff's office Facebook page.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she was heartbroken by the news.
"These were four dedicated public servants who were doing what first responders do day in and day out: working tirelessly to serve and protect their fellow New Mexicans," she said in a statement. "On behalf of the people of New Mexico, I extend my deepest gratitude to these four brave individuals, and my deepest sympathy to their families, friends and colleagues."
Few others details were immediately available Sunday. The sheriff's office and New Mexico State Police are investigating; state police said the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are also looking into it.
The sheriff's office said it plans to hold a press conference in the coming days.
"To ensure the continuity of the information being published in the media, we are not currently answering individual inquiries," the office said. "Rather, we are providing unified official press releases such as this one. Please remain patient and be assured we will provide updates on a regular interval."
In an emailed statement, a spokesman for the FAA said the NTSB would take the lead on the investigation and provide further updates as they become available.
Peter Knudson, spokesman for the NTSB, said an investigator was enroute to observe the scene. He added a preliminary report wouldn't be available likely for another two weeks, with a final report taking one to two years.
"It is a very rigorous process." he said.
Early Sunday morning, condolences from state and local officials started to roll in.
"I am heartbroken to hear of the helicopter crash that tragically took the lives of Bernalillo County first responders who were bravely assisting with the East Mesa fire," said Attorney General Hector Balderas. "Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this very difficult time."
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller tweeted around 9:45 a.m. that he was "heartbroken to hear about this tragic accident."
"Theses responders are stepping up to help their fellow New Mexicans and we will forever be grateful for their dedication to public service and our community," he said.
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan tweeted that he was praying for the lives lost in the crash.
"Sending my support to the families and Albuquerque community," he tweeted. "My office is monitoring the ongoing investigation."
Three people from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and a Bernalillo County firefighter were killed Saturday when a BCSO helicopter crashed near Las Vegas, the agency said.
BCSO spokeswoman Jayme Fuller said those onboard their helicopter Metro 2 were heading back to Albuquerque after assisting firefighters with the East Mesa Fire.
“There are no known survivors,” she said. “At this time the investigation into this incident is in its preliminary stages. As we learn further details, we will provide them through official press releases.”
BCSO tweeted “we need all the prayers we can get right now” above a picture of a black band across a sheriff’s office badge.
Authorities did not identify those who died, say what led to the crash or give any other details.
New Mexico State Police, on Twitter, confirmed the crash around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday.
“State Police is on scene of a helicopter crash with four fatalities in San Miguel county,” the agency said. “(The Federal Aviation Administration) and (National Transportation Safety Board) are responding to investigate. More information will be released when available.”
News of the crash drew an outpouring of sympathy.
State Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Jason Bowie said the four people who died in the crash were heroes.
“Today, our hearts are broken by the tragic and distressing news that we lost four of the state’s finest public servants, killed in the line of duty,” Bowie said in a statement. “It’s a sacrifice no one should have to make.”
Bernalillo County Commissioner Charlene Pyskoty posted on social media that she was “absolutely devastated.”
And Albuquerque police Chief Harold Medina tweeted, “Prayers for our brothers and sisters in the county and all those effected by the loss suffered as a result of this tragic accident.”
Looking at the ADS-B track and the topo maps, it almost looks like controlled flight into terrain. They came over the plateau at very low altitude. It’s hard to believe that visibility could have been an issue.
ReplyDeleteADSB doesn't show the return flight to KAEG and they went down around 7pm based on reporting from News.
DeleteAccident aircraft S/N 70-16431. 50+ years. Ex military.Public Use. Limited engine output above 4000' Density Altitude. What could possibly go wrong?
ReplyDeleteI served as a mechanic and crew chief on Hueys in the early ‘70s. Most of the aircraft I worked on were a couple of years old, but always needed unscheduled maintenance; rod end bearings, hydraulic fittings, working rivets, structural delaminating of stressed areas. I can’t imagine a fifty year old aircraft holding up any better.
Deleteit operates all the time in the high density alt area of Albuquerque. I am curious if it was loaded with a water hopper for fire fighting or was it simply on it's way back to KAEG.
ReplyDeleteBambi bucket only, no belly tank
DeleteAircraft was well maintained and had a tail fin STC among other FAA approved enhancements to greatly improve helicopter performance in high/hot environments in New Mexico
ReplyDeleteAll the UH1H I have ever seen have been either in a museum or on static display. Why were they still flying that relic?
ReplyDeleteAgreed
DeleteHell of an assumption, lookup at registry lots still flying. Somewhat common with all tricks know at this point.
DeleteAny Vietnam veteran will be happy to answer that….
ReplyDeleteThe C-47 was invaluable on D-Day…but come on. We’re now in the next century.
Delete…and yes, I know they still fly…but rarely on frontline, first responder duty.
DeleteNM is one of the poorest states in the county. First responders there aren’t as well equipped as in other places.
Delete"NM is one of the poorest states in the county. First responders there aren’t as well equipped as in other places."
DeleteIt's not so much that as it is it's a mostly inhospitable state in no-mans land where the largest city (Albuquerque) has just 580k people (2020 census). It's also one of the lowest growth states in the nation. If you don't have industry or major business and population to draw to support it, you don't have anything.
California Fire isn't in a poor state and they fly UH-1H's in fire duty. For example, currently registered N490DF:
Deletehttps://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N490DF
https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/h5pj3eeh/uh-1h-superhuey-helicopter-2020-2.pdf
Look up FAA registrations for make/model Bell UH-1H, then do the same for Bell 205, the commercial equiv model. Lots of 'em still being flown, and not by po folks wid no munee...