# Accident 20030909036289A: Hiller UH12E, Kekaha, HI, September 9, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 9, 2003, 12:15 local time
- Place: Kekaha, HI
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: DCCG
- Location: 21.9679° N, 159.7152° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kekaha, HI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.9679&lon=-159.7152&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9792C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9792C-2013-08-21) (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 41534, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12E
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 10,166 total, 1,077 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX03CA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA284) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030909036289A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THIS WAS A PART 137 AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION ON THE ISLAND OF KAUAI, VICINITY OF BARKING SANDS, PMFR. THE PIC WAS NOT AWARE WIRES WERE IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE HE WAS OPERATING AND STATED HE DID NOT SEE THE WIRES UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE FRONT CANOPY OF THE HELICOPTER. UPON THE WIRES IMPACTING THE HELICOPTER THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CUT THE WIRES AND FLEXED INTO THE TAILBOOM CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO LOSE PART OF ITS TAILBOOM AND TAILROTOR DRIVE. THE HELICOPTER THEN BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT. THE PIC MADE A FORCED LANDING INTO AN OPENING IN THE TREES WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING CAUSING THE RIGHT SKID TO BREAK OFF. NO INJURY WAS INCURRED BY THE PIC.

## 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 LAX03CA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA284), Sep 9, 2003: Hiller UH12E (N9792C), Kekaha, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires due to an inadequate visual lookout.

## Other reports on N9792C (3)

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

- [Incident 19930308024469I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930308024469I), Mar 8, 1993: Hiller UH12E (N9792C), Lihue, HI, Minor damage. Engine failed. Autorotated into cane field. Had a connecting rod bearing failure. Three eirs filed.
- [Incident 19820827054599I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820827054599I), Aug 27, 1982: Hiller UH12E (N9792C), Hanapepe, HI, Minor damage. Engine quit at 20 feet AGL on a spray run. Hard landing damaged helicopter. Mud in carburetor bowl.
- [Accident 19750702021169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750702021169A), Jul 2, 1975: Hiller UH12E (N9792C), Yakataga, AK, Substantial damage. Sling load parted in flt. Pc of lumber swung into t/r,severed drive shaft. Crashed off shore.

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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