# NTSB DEN93FA033: Hiller UH-12E, N5344V, Applegate, OR, March 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1993, 15:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Applegate, OR
- Coordinates: 42.179019, -123.03971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1790&lon=-123.0397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93FA033

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INITIATING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER.  FACTORS WERE: LOW CEILING, FOG, AND TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LANDED ON A MOUNTAINSIDE HELIPAD WHERE TWO PASSENGERS WERE WAITING.  THE PILOT OF A SIKORSKY S 61 HELICOPTER FLYING NEARBY CAUTIONED HIM ABOUT CLOUDS MOVING UP THE VALLEY.  HE ALSO NOTED IT WAS QUITE WINDY AND TURBULENT.  THE PILOT REPLIED HE WAS AWARE OF THE APPROACHING CLOUDS AND THAT IT WAS BAD.  SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE SIKORSKY PILOT HEARD THE HILLER PILOT SAY, I LOST IT.  THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES AND ONE PADDLE WERE FOUND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE HELICOPTER; THE OTHER PADDLE WAS LOCATED 300 FEET AWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR HEAD DISCLOSED DAMAGE BETWEEN THE HUB STATIC STOPS AND THE MAIN ROTOR MAST. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURED SURFACES INDICATED ALL THE BREAKS WERE THE RESULT OF OVERLOAD FORCES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5344V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5344V-1994-06-23), registration cancelled 1994-06-23, S/N 2018 (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: 2018
- Airframe hours: 10750
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Croman Corporation
- Registered owner: Croman Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 8, 1993, 25 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,304 total, 4,173 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## 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 19930316005529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930316005529A), Mar 16, 1993: Hiller UH12E, Applegate, OR, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Took off with logging crew with clouds and fog moving in. Pilot reported lost control. Aircraft crashed into trees.

## Other investigations on N5344V (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 SEA76DYE14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYE14), Sep 5, 1975: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N5344V), Randle, WA, destroyed

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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