# Accident 19980707016259A: Hiller UH12E, Eltopia, WA, July 7, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 7, 1998, 06:00 local time
- Place: Eltopia, WA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: WSGG
- Location: 46.5004° N, 119.0506° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5004&lon=-119.0506&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5360V, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5360V-2000-06-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hiller UH-12E (registry code 4360122, https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12E
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 10,145 total, 10,145 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA98LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA124) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980707016259A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23)SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, N5360V, BEING OPERATED BY JACK FILLETTE FLYIGN SERVICE, WAS DESTROYED AFTER ONE OF THE AIRCRAFT'S CONTROL ROTOR ASSEMBLIES SEPARATED IN FLIGHT APPROXIMATELY 75 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED TERRAIN AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED BY POST CRASH FIRE.  POST CRASH INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE CONTROL ROTOR SPAR TUBE SEPARATED AT THE OUT BOARD BOLT HOLE INSIDE THE CONTROL ROTOR CUFF.  THE SURFACE OF THE CONTROL ROTOR SPAR TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CORRSION.  AD 97-10-16 GIVES INSTRUCTIONS FOR 100 HOUR RECURRING INSPECTIONS IN THIS AREA.  THE CONTROL ROTOR COMPONENTS WILL BE SHIPPED TO THE SAFETY BOARD'S METALLURGICAL LABORATORY IN WAHSINGOTN, D.C FOR METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA98LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA124), Jul 7, 1998: Hiller UH-12E (N5360V), Eltopia, WA, destroyed. Probable cause: Fatigue of the control rotor blade spar and failure of the maintenance inspector to follow the procedures set forth in the airworthiness directive.

## Other reports on N5360V (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19760625024079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760625024079A), Jun 25, 1976: Hiller UH12E (N5360V), Happy Camp, CA, Substantial damage. External load logging operation.
- [Accident 19750727030789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750727030789A), Jul 27, 1975: Hiller UH12E (N5360V), Kobuk, AK, Substantial damage. Fuel gage inop,known to plt.
- [Accident 19730626026659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730626026659A), Jun 26, 1973: Hiller UH12E (N5360V), AK, Substantial damage

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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