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NTSB Report
February 17, 1988 · Hiller UH-12-D · N48265
Bon-Wier, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Bon-Wier, TX
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12-D
Tail Number
N48265
Operator
Thomas E Hanks
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW88DRA03
THE ACFT WAS BEING POSITIONED ONTO A TRANSPORT TRAILER AFTER LANDING. A GRND CREWMEMBER SECURED THE LEFT REAR SKID TO THE TRAILER BY MEANS OF A HOLDING PIN. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO SECURE THE RIGHT FRONT SKID (IN FRONT OF THE PILOT). THE RIGHT FRONT SKID WAS MISALIGNED AND THE CREWMEMBER COULD NOT SECURE THE PIN. THE BRIEFED PROCEDURE FOR SECURING THE ACFT TO THE TRAILER WAS FOR THE CREWMEMBER TO PIN THE RIGHT FRONT SKID FIRST, SO THAT THE PILOT WOULD KNOW THAT HE WAS PARTIALLY SECURED TO THE TRAILER. UPON SEEING THAT THE CREWMEMBER WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY PINNING THE RT FRONT SKID, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LIFT OFF AND REPOSITION THE ACFT. AS PWR WAS APPLIED, THE ACFT ROTATED ABOUT THE LEFT REAR SKID AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. IT SUBSEQUENTLY SPUN AND ROLLED, COMING TO REST INVERTED.
NTSB Probable Cause
GROUND CREWMEMBER'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES FOR SECUREING THE AIRCRAFT TO THE TRANSPORT TRAILER.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS BEING POSITIONED ONTO A TRANSPORT TRAILER AFTER LANDING. A GRND CREWMEMBER SECURED THE LEFT REAR SKID TO THE TRAILER BY MEANS OF A HOLDING PIN. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO SECURE THE RIGHT FRONT SKID (IN FRONT OF THE PILOT). THE RIGHT FRONT SKID WAS MISALIGNED AND THE CREWMEMBER COULD NOT SECURE THE PIN. THE BRIEFED PROCEDURE FOR SECURING THE ACFT TO THE TRAILER WAS FOR THE CREWMEMBER TO PIN THE RIGHT FRONT SKID FIRST, SO THAT THE PILOT WOULD KNOW THAT HE WAS PARTIALLY SECURED TO THE TRAILER. UPON SEEING THAT THE CREWMEMBER WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY PINNING THE RT FRONT SKID, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LIFT OFF AND REPOSITION THE ACFT. AS PWR WAS APPLIED, THE ACFT ROTATED ABOUT THE LEFT REAR SKID AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. IT SUBSEQUENTLY SPUN AND ROLLED, COMING TO REST INVERTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH-12-D
Tail NumberN48265
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorThomas E Hanks
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-C2A · Reciprocating · 260
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO