# NTSB FTW88DRA03: Hiller UH-12-D, N48265, Bon-Wier, TX, February 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1988, 18:00 local (Feb 17, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Bon-Wier, TX
- Coordinates: 30.68077, -93.750984 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6808&lon=-93.7510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRA03

## Probable cause

GROUND CREWMEMBER'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES FOR SECUREING THE AIRCRAFT TO THE TRANSPORT TRAILER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - aircraft handling - improper, ground personnel (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, ground personnel (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - poor (cause)
- Roll over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING POSITIONED ONTO A TRANSPORT TRAILER AFTER LANDING. A GRND CREWMEMBER SECURED THE LEFT REAR SKID TO THE TRAILER BY MEANS OF A HOLDING PIN. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO SECURE THE RIGHT FRONT SKID (IN FRONT OF THE PILOT). THE RIGHT FRONT SKID WAS MISALIGNED AND THE CREWMEMBER COULD NOT SECURE THE PIN. THE BRIEFED PROCEDURE FOR SECURING THE ACFT TO THE TRAILER WAS FOR THE CREWMEMBER TO PIN THE RIGHT FRONT SKID FIRST, SO THAT THE PILOT WOULD KNOW THAT HE WAS PARTIALLY SECURED TO THE TRAILER. UPON SEEING THAT THE CREWMEMBER WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY PINNING THE RT FRONT SKID, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LIFT OFF AND REPOSITION THE ACFT. AS PWR WAS APPLIED, THE ACFT ROTATED ABOUT THE LEFT REAR SKID AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. IT SUBSEQUENTLY SPUN AND ROLLED, COMING TO REST INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48265](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48265-2012-06-12), registration cancelled 2012-06-12, S/N 1060, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12-D
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1060
- Airframe hours: 12911
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas E. Hanks, doing business as Custom Air Service
- Registered owner: Hanks Hel. Spraying Serv. Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1987, 64 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BON-WIER, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,013 total, 3,619 in this make and model, 6,843 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880216003479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880216003479A), Feb 16, 1988: Hiller UH12D, Bon Wier, TX, Destroyed. Settled on trailer. Ground crew secured left rear skid unknown to pilot when he tried to realign skids. Rolled over

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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