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NTSB Report
May 28, 1987 · Hiller UH-12E · N28875
Shelton, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 28, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Shelton, WA
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N28875
Operator
Olympic Air
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA87FA106
THE PILOT WAS PROPERLY CERTIFICATED FOR THE FLIGHT; HOWEVER, DUE TO OPERATOR INSURANCE RESTRICTIONS, ALL PRIOR COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS HAD REQUIRED THE OWNER/OPERATOR TO ACCOMPANY THIS PILOT, THEREFORE THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT AS SOLE PILOT. RETURNING TO BASE AFTER A ROUND-TRIP PASSENGER FLIGHT, HAVING DISEMBARKED PASSENGERS, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED PROCEEDING AT HIGH FORWARD SPEED IN STRONG BUT INTERMITTENT WIND CONDITIONS. ALSO, PASSENGERS REMARKED ABOUT TURBULENCE ALONG THIS SAME ROUTE OF FLIGHT EARLIER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE MAIN ROTOR SEPARATED IN FLIGHT DUE TO MAST BUMPING, A PHENOMENON ASSOCIATED WITH TEETERING ROTOR SYSTEMS, INDUCED BY EXCEEDING THE NORMAL FLIGHT ENVELOPE FOR THE AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS PROPERLY CERTIFICATED FOR THE FLIGHT; HOWEVER, DUE TO OPERATOR INSURANCE RESTRICTIONS, ALL PRIOR COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS HAD REQUIRED THE OWNER/OPERATOR TO ACCOMPANY THIS PILOT, THEREFORE THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT AS SOLE PILOT. RETURNING TO BASE AFTER A ROUND-TRIP PASSENGER FLIGHT, HAVING DISEMBARKED PASSENGERS, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED PROCEEDING AT HIGH FORWARD SPEED IN STRONG BUT INTERMITTENT WIND CONDITIONS. ALSO, PASSENGERS REMARKED ABOUT TURBULENCE ALONG THIS SAME ROUTE OF FLIGHT EARLIER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE MAIN ROTOR SEPARATED IN FLIGHT DUE TO MAST BUMPING, A PHENOMENON ASSOCIATED WITH TEETERING ROTOR SYSTEMS, INDUCED BY EXCEEDING THE NORMAL FLIGHT ENVELOPE FOR THE AIRCRAFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN28875
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorOlympic Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 25 kt, gusting 35 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT