# NTSB DEN87LA157: Hiller UH-12E, N68012, Ray, ND, June 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1987, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Ray, ND
- Coordinates: 48.339912, -103.159812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3399&lon=-103.1598&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 July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA157

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - tree(s)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor control - disabled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTS THAT HE WAS DEPARTING FROM AN AERIAL APP OPERATING AREA. HE SAID THERE WAS A TREE LINE ALONG A ROAD WITH AN OPENING AND THE TAKEOFF WAS MADE TOWARD THE OPENING. THERE WERE WIRES ACROSS THE OPENING AND THE POLES WERE OBSCURED BY THE TREES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE OPENING. THE PLT DID NOT SEE THE WIRES AND COLLIDED WITH THEM DURING THE DEPARTURE. TAIL ROTOR CONTROL WAS LOST AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION AND THE ACFT CRASHED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68012](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68012-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 1500 (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: 1500
- Airframe hours: 2134
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Pro App Fertilizer, Inc.
- Registered owner: Pro App Fertilizer Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 1986, 44 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,768 total, 41 in this make and model, 3,700 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °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 19870620020989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870620020989A), Jun 20, 1987: Hiller UH12E, Ray, ND, Substantial damage. The helicopter hit a wire during takeoff. The wire and poles were hidden by trees.

## Other investigations on N68012 (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 WPR11LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA244), Jun 1, 2011: Hiller UH-12E (N68012), Stockton, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles.

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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