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NTSB Report
September 25, 1984 · Hiller UH12ET · N9278Z
Yuma, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Yuma, AZ
Aircraft
Hiller UH12ET
Tail Number
N9278Z
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX84LA494
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS CARRYING A LOAD OF PESTICIDE FOR APPLICATION ON A BROCCOLI FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 8 FEET AGL WHEN IT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONSUMED BY A POST CRASH FIRE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE TWO MAIN ROTOR BLADES HAD SEPARATED IN-FLIGHT. EXAMINATION OF THE SEPARATED ROTOR BLADE REVEALED A FATIGUE TYPE FRACTURE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SPAR TUBE THROUGH THE OUTBOARD RETENTION BOLT HOLES. THE FAILED MAIN ROTOR BLADE SPAR BORE EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE CUFF WAS THE SUBJECT OF AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE THAT ACCORDING TO THE AIRCRAFT LOGBOOKS HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH AS REQUIRED. THE LAST THREE LOGBOOK NOTATIONS, DOCUMENTING COMPLIANCE WITH THE AD, WERE ENTERED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS CARRYING A LOAD OF PESTICIDE FOR APPLICATION ON A BROCCOLI FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 8 FEET AGL WHEN IT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONSUMED BY A POST CRASH FIRE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE TWO MAIN ROTOR BLADES HAD SEPARATED IN-FLIGHT. EXAMINATION OF THE SEPARATED ROTOR BLADE REVEALED A FATIGUE TYPE FRACTURE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SPAR TUBE THROUGH THE OUTBOARD RETENTION BOLT HOLES. THE FAILED MAIN ROTOR BLADE SPAR BORE EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE CUFF WAS THE SUBJECT OF AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE THAT ACCORDING TO THE AIRCRAFT LOGBOOKS HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH AS REQUIRED. THE LAST THREE LOGBOOK NOTATIONS, DOCUMENTING COMPLIANCE WITH THE AD, WERE ENTERED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:01 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH12ET
Tail NumberN9278Z
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 425
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind50° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:00
Weather SourceWFAC