# NTSB CEN11CA231: Hiller UH-12D, N11CU, Iowa, LA, March 17, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 17, 2011, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Iowa, LA - Coordinates: 30.240833, -93.018333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2408&lon=-93.0183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78568 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78568/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78568 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA231 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswinds during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4360118), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=4360118), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=4360118), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=4360118), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=4360118), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4360118), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing his helicopter. He transitioned to a hover at about three feet above the ground. The helicopter encountered a sudden gust of wind that blew the helicopter forward and down. The left skid impacted the ground and the helicopter turned to the right and rolled over onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and tailcone. The recorded wind conditions indicated gusts from 15 knots to 19 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing his helicopter. He transitioned from the south to a hover at three feet above the ground. The pilot indicated that a sudden gust of wind "blew the helicopter forward and down." The left skid impacted the ground. The helicopter turned to the right and rolled over onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and tailcone. Local winds were 160 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 19 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11CU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11CU), registered now, S/N 983, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12D - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12d) (registry code 4360118) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 983 - Airframe hours: 6567 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1C 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Williams Management - Registered owner: Williams Management - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 2010 - Departed: L39, Leesville, LA - Destination: Iowa, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 3, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 395 total, 82 in this make and model, 282 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 15 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: CWF, 7 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110317009549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110317009549A), Mar 17, 2011: Hiller UH-12D, Iowa, LA, Substantial damage. It was determined the aircraft entered a dynamic roll over after hard contact with the landing surface occurred. It is believed, the aircraft was subjected to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78568. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 875 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346451&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20-%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.