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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 2, 1982 · Hiller UH-12E · N9060F

Near Toutle, WA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 2, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Near Toutle, WA
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N9060F
Operator
Terry Witham
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA82DA044

ABOUT 1 1/2 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD "BANG" WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A VERTICAL AND LATERAL VIBRATION. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DESCEND, PITCH FORWARD, AND ROLL RIGHT AS THE VIBRATION INCREASED. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING ON A NEARBY SAND BAR. AS THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON SLOPING TERRAIN, IT ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE WERE DISASSEMBLED, BUT NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. ONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE CAPS HAD SEPARATED. HOWEVER, THE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE BLADE CAP SEPARATED BEFORE OR AFTER IMPACT. THE CAP WAS NOT FOUND.

Full Narrative

ABOUT 1 1/2 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD "BANG" WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A VERTICAL AND LATERAL VIBRATION. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DESCEND, PITCH FORWARD, AND ROLL RIGHT AS THE VIBRATION INCREASED. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING ON A NEARBY SAND BAR. AS THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON SLOPING TERRAIN, IT ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE WERE DISASSEMBLED, BUT NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. ONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE CAPS HAD SEPARATED. HOWEVER, THE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE BLADE CAP SEPARATED BEFORE OR AFTER IMPACT. THE CAP WAS NOT FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN9060F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTerry Witham
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-C2A · Reciprocating · 305
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point12 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time12:46

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Appendix: Source Data