# Accident 20030627013009A: Hiller UH12E, Elk Mound, WI, June 27, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 27, 2003, 17:45 local time
- Place: Elk Mound, WI
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: OPGG
- Location: 44.8067° N, 91.6867° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8067&lon=-91.6867&mi=10
- Aircraft: N62417, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62417-2017-03-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hiller UH-12E (registry code 4360122, https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-540 series (registry code 41582, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12E
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 7,660 total, 3,160 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA185) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030627013009A

## Narrative

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

(-23) WHILE APPLYING FUNGICIDE TO A FIELD OF POTATOES, THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED A WHIRLWIND, CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE CONTROL AND CONTACT THE CROP WITH THE HELICOPTER'S SKID AND SPRAY BOOM. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS JUST BEGINNING HIS LAST SWATH RUN OF THE FIELD AND WHILE HEADING WEST, HE ENCOUNTERED A WHIRLWIND THAT WAS HEADING SOUTHEAST (MOVING WITH THE WIND). HE INDICATED THAT THE WHIRLWIND SEEMED MORE POWERFUL THAN THE OTHER ONES HE HAD WITNESSED THAT DAY, DUE TO VISUALLY OBSERVING THE POTATO LEAVES THRASHING IN A DOWNWARD CIRCULAR PATTERN PRIOR TO ENCOUNTERING IT. ONCE IN IT, THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE SENSED RAPID ACCELERATION AND THEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE HELICOPTER'S RIGHT SKID AND SPRAY BOOM STRUCK THE POTATO CROP FIRST AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED IN A WEST-NORTHWESTERLY DIRECTION UNTIL IT CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## 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 CHI03LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA185), Jun 27, 2003: Hiller UH-12E (N62417), Elk Mound, WI, destroyed. 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.

## Other reports on N62417 (4)

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

- [Incident 19950712044439I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950712044439I), Jul 12, 1995: Hiller UH12E (N62417), Duran, WI, Minor damage. Narrative: pilot stated fuel exhaustion caused by double problem. Owner/operator discovered possible fuel gauge problem on way to intended spray application…
- [Accident 19760429012059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760429012059A), Apr 29, 1976: Hiller UH12C (N62417), Eldred, IL, Substantial damage. Carb bowl contained a red oily liquid. Acft rolled forward. Main rotor cut off tail boom.
- [Accident 19760315004599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760315004599A), Mar 15, 1976: Hiller UH12D (N62417), St Jacob, IL, Substantial damage
- [Accident 19750415006779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750415006779A), Apr 15, 1975: Hiller UH12D (N62417), Lebanon, IL, Substantial damage. Main rotor blades struck overhanging limbs.

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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