Inadequate inspections by the operator and inadequate oversight by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were largely responsible for the 2022 crash of a Bell Helicopter UH-1B Huey that killed six people, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says. The accident took place during an event that allowed attendees to fly the onetime military helicopter.
In its final report on the June 22, 2022, crash, the NTSB said the accident occurred after the Vietnam War–era helicopter’s engine lost power due to the failure of an engine component during a flight at the annual Huey Reunion, held at Logan County (West Virginia, U.S.) Airport. The pilot-in-command (PIC), a volunteer for the event, was in the left front seat next to an attendee who had made a $250 donation to fly the helicopter for 30 minutes. Four other passengers had made smaller donations to ride along.
The accident occurred on the last flight of the day on the second day of the Huey event. Volunteer …
