Bell UH-1B — registry & accident history
Compiled from FAA & NTSB records · as of Jul 24, 2026
There are 206 Bell UH-1B airframes on record (built 1960–2001), 42 currently registered. 8 have one or more NTSB accident records (8 records total, 3 with a fatal highest-injury classification). Data as of Jul 24, 2026.
Recent Bell UH-1B accidents
The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power.
A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
the operator’s failure to adequately inspect the former military turbine powered helicopter, which allowed an engine issue to progress and result in a loss of engine power and a subsequent loss of control after the helicopter struck powerlines during a forced landing. Also causal to the accident were the following: 1) the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) inadequate inspection and maintenance standards for former military turbine powered aircraft operating with an experimental exhibition airworthiness certificate; 2) the operator’s use of those standards instead of more rigorous standards, which were readily available to the operator and previously used to inspect and maintain the helicopter; and 3) the FAA’s inadequate oversight of the operator, which did not detect the inherent risk associated with the operation.
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires while maneuvering at a low altitude during an agricultural application flight.
A reduction in available engine power during takeoff due to a stuck hot air valve, which resulted in low rotor rpm and a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of dry film lubricant and the presence of corrosion on the hot air valve assembly, which resulted in the sticking of the valve.
The fatigue failure of the upper two tailboom attachment points, which resulted in the tailboom separating from the fuselage during logging operations. Contributing to the accident was poor maintenance throughout the helicopter’s operational life.
The aircraft owner/mechanic/pilot's installation of an improper tail boom assembly and the resulting fatigue failure of the tail boom's attach fittings.
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff for undetermined reasons.