# NTSB FTW83LA217: Hiller UH-12E, N138HA, Quanah, TX, May 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1983, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Quanah, TX
- Location: 34.2954° N, 99.7429° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Quanah, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2954&lon=-99.7429&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA217

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED TO SEARCH FOR CATTLE. AS THE PLT WAS LOOKING DOWN THROUGH SOME BUSHES FOR CATTLE, THE M/R BLADE HIT A POWERLINE WIRE ABOUT 25 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N138HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N138HA-2015-07-14), registration cancelled 2015-07-14, S/N HA3038, built 1976 (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 TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: HA-3038
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ceronimo Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 29, 1983, 19 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 233 total, 215 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 345° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19830503017209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830503017209A), May 3, 1983: Hiller UH12E, Quanah, TX, Substantial damage. Main rotor blade tip struck a powerline while looking for cattle in underbrush. Crash landed and rolled over.

## Other investigations on N138HA (2)

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 WPR15LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA168), May 27, 2015: Hiller UH 12E (N138HA), Wasco, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: An in-flight impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR11LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA267), Jun 19, 2011: Hiller UH-12E (N138HA), Lost Hills, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the engine-driven fuel pump, resulting in the loss of all engine power and the pilot's failure to correctly execute an autorotational landing.

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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