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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 27, 2003 · Hiller UH-12E · N62417

Elk Mound, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 27, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Elk Mound, WI
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N62417
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI03LA185

The helicopter impacted terrain after encountering a reported "whirlwind." The pilot reported he was on a spray pass at a "good altitude" and at 55 miles per hour. The pilot noted he saw the whirlwind but was not concerned. The pilot stated, "suddenly it felt [he] was slammed into the ground and out of control." The pilot reported the helicopter cartwheeled about 60 to 100 feet before coming to a stop.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the whirlwind, the turbulence, and the helicopter's low altitude.

Full Narrative

On June 27, 2003, at 1745 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N62417, owned and operated by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain four miles south of Elk Mound, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight departed Stocktrade Airport (WI05), Elk Mound, Wisconsin, at 1737. The pilot reported he saw a "whirlwind" while on his last spray pass over the field. The pilot described the whirlwind as "about as wide as [the helicopter] rotorwash" and that it was "thrashing the potato vines similar to what a helicopter would do [while] hovering." The pilot noted he "seemed to have good altitude [and] spray speed of 55 [miles per hour]." The pilot stated, "suddenly it felt [the helicopter] was slammed into the ground [and was] out of control." The pilot reported the right spray boom impacted the terrain, and the helicopter cartwheeled about 60-100 feet before stopping. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN62417
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO540-C2A · Reciprocating · 305
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.86 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data