# NTSB CHI93DTK02: Hiller UH-12E, N4028M, Milbank, SD, July 18, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1993, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Milbank, SD
- Coordinates: 45.209613, -96.630477 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2096&lon=-96.6305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9150
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93DTK02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9150/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93DTK02

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - other
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE HEARD A BANG DURING HOVER FOR LANDING AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SPINNING.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK OBSTACLES NEAR THE LANDING AREA AS IT SETTLED TO GROUND, ROLLED AND BURNED.  THE FAA INSPECTOR WHO EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE SAID THE IMPACT DAMAGE AND POST CRASH FIRE WAS SO SEVERE HE WAS UNABLE TO DISCOVER ANY PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT:

On July 18, 1993, 1630 CDT, while operation under FAR part 137 a helicopter, Hiller, N4028M, Model UH-12E registered to Bonanza Valley Aviation, Inc. of Bensen, MN and piloted by Richard Harrison Jackson of Bensen, MN, lost directional control and struck nearby hay bales.  The helicopter continued to rotate and contacted the ground, it became airborne again and impacted into a cluster of hay bales.

INJURIES TO PERSONS:

The pilot received cuts, bruises and a sprained ankle.

DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT:

The helicopter was destroyed.

OTHER DAMAGE:

Several large round hay bales sustained damage.

CREW INFORMATION:

The pilot was the sole occupant.  Pilots name is Richard Harrison Jackson.  Pilots address is 1720 MN Ave., Benson 56215.  He is 40 years old.  The pilot possessed a valid Commercial Pilot Certificate, Helicopter Rating, current Second Class Medical Certificate, and current Biennial Flight Review.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION:

Aircraft was a Hiller, Model UH-12E, Serial Number 5094 registered to Bonanza Valley Aviation, Inc., Box 24, Benson, MN 56215.  The last 100 hr inspection was 7-2-93.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION:

Visual Meteorological conditions prevailed.

WRECKAGE:

Wreckage was so severe that a malfunction or failure (if any) could not be determined.

FIRE:

A fire started immediately after aircraft came to rest consuming the aircraft and adjacent hay bales.  The fire was fueled by aviation gasoline from the helicopters ruptured fuel tank and hay.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4028M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4028M-2008-06-10), registration cancelled 2008-06-10, S/N 5094 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5094
- Airframe hours: 5142
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Bonanza Valley Aviation
- Registered owner: Bonanza Valley Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 2, 1993, 32 hours before
- Departed: 1D1

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19930718024379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930718024379A), Jul 18, 1993: Hiller UH12E, Milbank, SD, Destroyed. Lost directional control. Struck hay bales in spin. Crashed and burned.

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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