# NTSB CHI03LA185: Hiller UH-12E, N62417, Elk Mound, WI, June 27, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 2003, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Elk Mound, WI - Coordinates: 44.806667, -91.686668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8067&lon=-91.6867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57371 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57371/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA185 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - aerial application - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - altitude - low (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter impacted terrain after encountering a reported "whirlwind." The pilot reported he was on a spray pass at a "good altitude" and at 55 miles per hour. The pilot noted he saw the whirlwind but was not concerned. The pilot stated, "suddenly it felt [he] was slammed into the ground and out of control." The pilot reported the helicopter cartwheeled about 60 to 100 feet before coming to a stop. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2003, at 1745 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N62417, owned and operated by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain four miles south of Elk Mound, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight departed Stocktrade Airport (WI05), Elk Mound, Wisconsin, at 1737. The pilot reported he saw a "whirlwind" while on his last spray pass over the field. The pilot described the whirlwind as "about as wide as [the helicopter] rotorwash" and that it was "thrashing the potato vines similar to what a helicopter would do [while] hovering." The pilot noted he "seemed to have good altitude [and] spray speed of 55 [miles per hour]." The pilot stated, "suddenly it felt [the helicopter] was slammed into the ground [and was] out of control." The pilot reported the right spray boom impacted the terrain, and the helicopter cartwheeled about 60-100 feet before stopping. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62417](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62417-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N 1158, built 1960 (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 41582, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1158 - Airframe hours: 1163 - Engines: Lycoming VO540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2003, 44 hours before - Departed: WI05, Elk Mound, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 16, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 7,660 total, 3,204 in this make and model, 7,660 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: EAU, 9 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 20030627013009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030627013009A), Jun 27, 2003: Hiller UH12E, Elk Mound, WI, Destroyed. (-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… ## Other investigations on N62417 (3) 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 CHI76FEV32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEV32), Apr 29, 1976: Hiller Acft UH-12D (N62417), Eldred, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI76FCA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FCA06), Mar 15, 1976: Hiller UH-12D (N62417), St Jacob, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI75DCA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75DCA06), Apr 15, 1975: Hiller Acft UH12D (N62417), Lebanon, IL, substantial damage 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.