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NTSB Report

May 30, 2003 · Hiller UH-12E · N508SQ

Cheyenne, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 30, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cheyenne, WY
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N508SQ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA092

According to the pilot, he was spraying vegetation along the railroad. He was reversing course for a second application pass and began a "cyclic climb/ag turn" when he encountered a gust of wind, "approximately 15-20 miles per hour," from his "6 o'clock position." The pilot stated he was unable to recover before he hit the ground. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled on its right side, and the main rotor blades separated. Approximately 11 minutes after the accident, winds in the area were reported as 320 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 17 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A contributing to the accident was the sudden tailwind encountered.

Full Narrative

On May 30, 2003, at approximately 0900 mountain daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N508SQ, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering south of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Reforestation Services, Inc., of Salem, Oregon, was operating the helicopter under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local aerial application flight, which originated approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot had not filed a flight plan. According to the pilot, he was spraying vegetation along the Union Pacific railroad tracks. He was reversing course for a second application pass and began a "cyclic climb/ag turn" when he encountered a gust of wind, "approximately 15-20 miles per hour," from his "6 o'clock position." The pilot stated he was unable to recover before he hit the ground. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled on its right side, and the main rotor blades separated. An examination of the helicopter's systems revealed no anomalies. At 0911the Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) from Cheyenne reported winds from 320 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 17 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 MDT
Nearest Airport5nm S
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN508SQ
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 420
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 12 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time15:11
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data