# NTSB CHI01LA238: Hiller UH-12E, N67067, Hastings, NE, July 25, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 2001, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Hastings, NE - Coordinates: 40.579677, -98.389495 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5797&lon=-98.3895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Lincoln FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52917 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA238 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52917/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA238 ## Probable cause Aircraft control not being maintained by the pilot which resulted in the encountered settling with power flight condition during the initial climb. Factors to the accident were the reported variable winds during the takeoff and the corn crop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - settling with power - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - Roll over, emergency landing after takeoff ## Analysis During takeoff the pilot was unable to maintain altitude resulting in an in-flight collision with the terrain. The helicopter subsequently rolled over when the right skid contacted a row of corn. The pilot reported that he was using the bed of a service truck for takeoff and landing operations. The pilot stated that on his last takeoff, "... the wind dropped off, causing helicopter to settle. Control was maintained and proceed to translational lift. Helicopter crossed barren ground rizing from 2-3 feet to about 8 feet. Crossed over into cornfield. Helicopter began to settle again maintained control to ground. Helicopter slid about 10 feet. Right front skid caught on corn row causing helicopter to flip onto right side, and come to a stop." ## Factual narrative On July 25, 2001, at 1130 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N67067, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain following dragging a skid and subsequent rollover during a takeoff near Hastings, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The local flight was departing at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, he had performed 15 takeoffs during the last 2 hours with no significant change in the weather. The pilot reported that he was using the bed of a service truck for takeoff and landing operations. The pilot stated that on his last takeoff, "... the wind dropped off, causing helicopter to settle. Control was maintained and proceed to translational lift. Helicopter crossed barren ground rizing from 2-3 feet to about 8 feet. Crossed over into cornfield. Helicopter began to settle again maintained control to ground. Helicopter slid about 10 feet. Right front skid caught on corn row causing helicopter to flip onto right side, and come to a stop." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67067](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67067-2013-05-01), registration cancelled 2013-05-01, S/N 1781, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hiller UH-12E - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1781 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540-C2A 325 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Central States Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 2001 - Departed: Hastings, NE - Destination: Hastings, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,801 total, 1,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: HSI ## 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 20010725038319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010725038319A), Jul 25, 2001: Hiller UH12E, Hasting, NE, No damage. (-23) On July 25, 2001, at 1130 CDT, a Hiller UH-12E, N67067, piloted by arthur lee prescott sustained damage during an in-flight collision with terrain… 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.