# NTSB CHI88DER06: Hiller UH-12E, N173HA, Buffalo Lake, MN, July 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1988, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo Lake, MN
- Coordinates: 44.730972, -94.610282 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7310&lon=-94.6103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DER06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DER06

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor cable - worn (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor cable - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

WHEN THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF, THE LEFT TAIL ROTOR CABLE SEPARATED. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES, HOWEVER THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. AN INSPECTION OF THE LEFT TAIL ROTOR CABLE REVEALED A SEPARATION 67 INCHES AFT OF THE FORWARD CLEVIS IN AN AREA OF A PULLEY UNDER THE ENGINE. AN INSPECTION OF THE RIGHT TAIL ROTOR CABLE DISCLOSED WEAR AND FRAYING AT THE SIMILAR LOCATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N173HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N173HA-2018-02-28), registration cancelled 2018-02-28, S/N HA3073, built 1977 (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-C2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-c2a) (registry code 42244, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: HA-3073
- Airframe hours: 2839
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Emerald Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1988, 249 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,565 total, 3,258 in this make and model, 7,414 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNM, 65 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 19880730028379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880730028379A), Jul 30, 1988: Hiller UH12E, Buffalo Lake, MN, Destroyed. Tail rotor control cable broke during vertical takeoff from truck platform. Cables frayed and worn. Acft destroyed.

## Other investigations on N173HA (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 MKC83LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA207), Aug 31, 1983: Hiller UH-12E (N173HA), Corwith, IA, destroyed

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.

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