# NTSB CHI96LA151: Hiller UH-12E, N177HA, Big Lake, MN, May 4, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1996, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Big Lake, MN
- Coordinates: 45.329166, -93.739295 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3292&lon=-93.7393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10242
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10242/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA151

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight of the helicopter by not having removed a tiedown strap before attempting takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - tie down - not removed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he had forgotten to unlatch one of the  helicopter's tiedowns on the trailer, which had been used to transport the helicopter. He stated that as he attempted to takeoff, the helicopter rolled forward and to the right, striking the truck.

## Factual narrative

On May 4, 1996, at 1300 central daylight time, a Hiller UH12E, N177HA, was destroyed during an attempted takeoff from a trailer by a commercially certificated pilot. The accident occurred one-half mile south of Big Lake, Minnesota. The pilot reported minor injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The flight departed Big Lake, Minnesota, at the time of the accident.

The pilot said that he forgotten to unlatch one of the helicopter's tiedowns on the trailer that was used to transport the helicopter.  He said that upon lift off, the helicopter rolled forward and to the right impacting the truck.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N177HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N177HA-2000-03-28), registration cancelled 2000-03-28, S/N HA3077 (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: 3077
- Airframe hours: 3123
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Triple H  Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Stearns Co. Nat'L Bank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1996, 32 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 10,459 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 10,250 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC, 12 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 19960504009509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960504009509A), May 4, 1996: Hiller UH12E, Big Lake, MN, Destroyed. Failed to detach trailer tie down from skid. Lost control and rolled on lift off. (-23) pilot failed to fully detach trailer tie downs from aircraft prior to…

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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