4 fatal · BELL UH-1H · 2022-07-17 · Chapelle, NM, USA
Event
NTSB number
CEN22FA317
Event ID
20220717105488
Type
Accident
Date
2022-07-17
Location
Chapelle, NM, USA
Coordinates
35.38004, -105.23736
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
4
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
BELL
Model
UH-1H
Registration
N911SZ
FAR Part
PUBU
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the starter-generator input (zerol) gear which failed due to poor maintenance. Contributing to the accident was the unsuccessful autorotation complicated by the setting sun and high density altitude.