# NTSB CHI98LA218: Hiller UH-12E, N86663, Park Rapids, MN, June 24, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1998, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Park Rapids, MN
- Coordinates: 44.769264, -94.989364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7693&lon=-94.9894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10932
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10932/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA218

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of aircraft.  Factors were the congested helipad conditions and wind gusts.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,helipad - congested (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the conditions were congested (semi-confined) in the area of takeoff.  He said that wind gusts, or turbulence surrounding nearby buildings may have contributed to the loss of control during initial climb, when the helicopter pitched down and rolled to the left prior to impact with the terrain.

## Factual narrative

On June 24, 1998, at  1130 central daylight time,  a Hiller UH-12E, N86663, impacted the terrain during an initial takeoff climb near Park Rapids, Minnesota.  The commercial pilot received no injuries and the helicopter sustained substantial damage.  The helicopter was being operated as a commercial flight under 14 CFR 137 when the accident occurred.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot said that he was departing to the south in a "semi-confined" area adjacent to two warehouses.  He thought that he might have encountered a wind gust or "dust devil" which caused the helicopter to pitch down and roll to the left, prior to impact with the terrain.

No pre-impact anomalies were found in an inspection of the helicopter subsequent to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86663](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86663-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 1202, 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 0-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (registry code 41516, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1202
- Airframe hours: 11477
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-C2A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Emerald Helicopter, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 10, 1998, 42 hours before
- Departed: NONE, PARK RAPIDS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,550 total, 6,940 in this make and model, 11,400 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19980624020339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980624020339A), Jun 24, 1998: Hiller UH12E, Park Rapids, MN, Substantial damage. Lost control on downwind takeoff from a helipad. Was entering transitional lift pahse being vulneralbe to downwind. (.4) the pilot stated that the conditions…

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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