# NTSB CHI89DEP07: Hiller UH-12E, N48313, Blackriverfalls, WI, July 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1989, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Blackriverfalls, WI
- Coordinates: 44.290912, -90.839538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2909&lon=-90.8395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEP07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEP07

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO JETTISON THE EXTERNAL LOAD FOLLOWED BY HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE EXTERNAL LOAD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - throttle/power lever,cable - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - external load equipment - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - fractured
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING LIFTOFF WITH AN EXTERNAL LOAD HOPPER CONTAINING 450 POUNDS OF FERTILIZER, THE OPERATOR OF THE HELICOPTER REPORTED SOMETHING SNAPPED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE LEFT COLLECTIVE/THROTTLE CONTROL. A SWITCH OF HANDS ON THE CONTROLS WAS MADE, LEFT HAND TO CYCLIC AND RIGHT HAND TO MASTER COLLECTIVE/THROTTLE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND SETTING THE HOPPER DOWN FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE HELICOPTER. THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE HOPPER CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO TILT AND THE MAIN ROTOR TO STRIKE THE GROUND, PULLING THE HELICOPTER APRX 70 FEET BEFORE IT CAME TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48313](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48313-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 1213, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Registry model: [Hiller H-23D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-h-23d) (registry code 4360120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1213
- Airframe hours: 7674
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C-2-A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Decker, James E.
- Registered owner: James E Decker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1989, 62 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,314 total, 366 in this make and model, 6,167 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F

## 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 19890720024199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890720024199A), Jul 20, 1989: Hiller UH12E, Black River Fal, WI, Destroyed. Throttle broke after pick up of sling load. Failed to jettison. Crash landed on hopper. Throttle worn and frayed.

## Other investigations on N48313 (2)

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 MKC84LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA205), Jul 9, 1984: Hiller H-23D (N48313), Neelyville, MO, destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79DKQ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79DKQ10), May 1, 1979: Hiller UH12D (N48313), Drew, MS, 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.

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