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NTSB Report
March 9, 1989 · Hiller UH-12E · N7411N
Golden, CO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 9, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Golden, CO
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N7411N
Operator
Harry G Laforge
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN89LA084
THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) & DUAL STUDENT WERE PRACTICING PINNACLE APCHS. THE CFI WAS FLYING THE HELICOPETER AS AN APCH WAS MADE TO A 6318' PINNACLE FROM THE SOUTHEAST. ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT, THE WIND WAS FROM THE EAST AT 8 TO 10 KTS. AS THE CFI FLEW TO A 4' HOVER, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL & THE HELICOPTER BEGAN AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT TURN. THE CFI MADE A HOVERING AUTOROTATION, BUT THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON AN OUTCROPPING OF ROCK & ROCKED BACKWARD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL STINGER & TAIL ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TERRAIN & THE HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED. LATER, THE CFI SAID HE BELIEVED THE TAIL ROTOR CONTROL CABLES HAD UNSPOOLED FROM THE DRUM & RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. HOWEVER, A POST-ACDNT EXAM FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A PRE-ACDNT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 8600'. APRX 7 MIEAST AT JEFFCO ARPT, THE WIND WAS FROM 140 DEG AT 10 KTS.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE CFI WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS AND LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, TAILWIND, AND ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) & DUAL STUDENT WERE PRACTICING PINNACLE APCHS. THE CFI WAS FLYING THE HELICOPETER AS AN APCH WAS MADE TO A 6318' PINNACLE FROM THE SOUTHEAST. ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT, THE WIND WAS FROM THE EAST AT 8 TO 10 KTS. AS THE CFI FLEW TO A 4' HOVER, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL & THE HELICOPTER BEGAN AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT TURN. THE CFI MADE A HOVERING AUTOROTATION, BUT THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON AN OUTCROPPING OF ROCK & ROCKED BACKWARD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL STINGER & TAIL ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TERRAIN & THE HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED. LATER, THE CFI SAID HE BELIEVED THE TAIL ROTOR CONTROL CABLES HAD UNSPOOLED FROM THE DRUM & RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. HOWEVER, A POST-ACDNT EXAM FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A PRE-ACDNT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 8600'. APRX 7 MIEAST AT JEFFCO ARPT, THE WIND WAS FROM 140 DEG AT 10 KTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:55 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN7411N
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHarry G Laforge
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-C2A · Reciprocating · 305
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 10 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC