# NTSB ERA11CA059: Hiller-Rogerson Helicopter UH12E, N4034Z, Madison, FL, November 15, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 15, 2010, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Madison, FL - Coordinates: 30.282777, -83.371665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2828&lon=-83.3717&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77809 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77809/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77809 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's encounter with a settling with power condition while he was performing slow, low-level, out-of- ground-effect flight maneuvers. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller-Rogerson Helicopter UH12E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=4361101), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller-Rogerson Helicopter UH12E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=4361101), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Hiller-Rogerson Helicopter UH12E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=4361101), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hiller-Rogerson Helicopter UH12E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4361101), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the helicopter pilot, he was completing north-south herbicide spray patterns with wind varying from east to south at 4 to 5 mph. As the pilot positioned the helicopter for the next northern track, after completing his turn, he began to feel it lose altitude. The pilot stated that he tried to regain control by pushing forward the cyclic and lowering the collective in an effort to get out of the settling with power. When ground contact was imminent, he raised the collective to cushion the impact. The helicopter touched down, spun, and rolled onto its left side. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative According to the helicopter pilot, he was completing north-south herbicide spray patterns with winds varying from the east to south at 4 to 5 mph. As the pilot positioned the helicopter for the next northern track, he "began to feel the aircraft start to lose altitude after the turn." The pilot stated that he tried to regain control by pushing forward the cyclic and lowering the collective to "get out of the settling with power." When ground contact was imminent, he raised the collective to cushion the impact. The helicopter touched down, spun, and rolled onto its left side. Post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4034Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4034Z-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 5196 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HILLER-ROGERSON HELICOPTER UH12E - Registry model: [Hiller-Rogerson Helicopter UH12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-rogerson-helicopter-uh12e) (registry code 4361101) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 5196 - Airframe hours: 9002 - Engines: Rolls-Royce C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Summit Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: Summit Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 15, 2010 - Departed: Madison, FL - Destination: Madison, FL - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 29, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 694 total, 464 in this make and model, 626 as pilot in command, 181 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: 40J, 19 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 20101115051819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101115051819A), Nov 15, 2010: Hiller-Roge UH12E, Madison, FL, Substantial damage. On November 15, 2010, at approximately 1110 EST, a Hiller UH-12E, N4034Z, registered to summit helicopters, inc (bhhg), landed hard during a maneuvering turn… ## Other investigations on N4034Z (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 BFO90LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA041), May 1, 1990: Hiller UH-12ET (N4034Z), Brookneal, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. PILOT FATIGUE WAS A RELATED FACTOR. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77809. 641 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 446 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Initial Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339699&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Initial%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339701&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Picture 1 (courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Picture%201%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Picture 2 (courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Picture%202%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.