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NTSB Report
July 20, 1989 · Hiller UH-12E · N48313
Blackriverfalls, WI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Blackriverfalls, WI
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N48313
Operator
Decker James E
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89DEP07
DURING LIFTOFF WITH AN EXTERNAL LOAD HOPPER CONTAINING 450 POUNDS OF FERTILIZER, THE OPERATOR OF THE HELICOPTER REPORTED SOMETHING SNAPPED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE LEFT COLLECTIVE/THROTTLE CONTROL. A SWITCH OF HANDS ON THE CONTROLS WAS MADE, LEFT HAND TO CYCLIC AND RIGHT HAND TO MASTER COLLECTIVE/THROTTLE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND SETTING THE HOPPER DOWN FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE HELICOPTER. THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE HOPPER CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO TILT AND THE MAIN ROTOR TO STRIKE THE GROUND, PULLING THE HELICOPTER APRX 70 FEET BEFORE IT CAME TO REST.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO JETTISON THE EXTERNAL LOAD FOLLOWED BY HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE EXTERNAL LOAD.
Full Narrative
DURING LIFTOFF WITH AN EXTERNAL LOAD HOPPER CONTAINING 450 POUNDS OF FERTILIZER, THE OPERATOR OF THE HELICOPTER REPORTED SOMETHING SNAPPED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE LEFT COLLECTIVE/THROTTLE CONTROL. A SWITCH OF HANDS ON THE CONTROLS WAS MADE, LEFT HAND TO CYCLIC AND RIGHT HAND TO MASTER COLLECTIVE/THROTTLE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND SETTING THE HOPPER DOWN FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE HELICOPTER. THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE HOPPER CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO TILT AND THE MAIN ROTOR TO STRIKE THE GROUND, PULLING THE HELICOPTER APRX 70 FEET BEFORE IT CAME TO REST.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN48313
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDecker James E
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-C-2-A · Reciprocating · 305
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO