# NTSB FTW96LA385: Hiller UH12E, N156HA, Hamburg, AR, September 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 12, 1996, 09:23 local (14:23 UTC) - Place: Hamburg, AR - Coordinates: 33.220157, -91.789398 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2202&lon=-91.7894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19978 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA385 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19978/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA385 ## Probable cause The loss of tail rotor control as result of a tail rotor blade strike by a partially disconnected ballast weight, due to a disconnected pin. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - miscellaneous,dowel/pin - disconnected (cause) - fuselage,attachment - disconnected (cause) - rotor system,tail rotor blade - blade strike (cause) - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor control - failure (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had refueled the helicopter and loaded chemicals at a field location. About 1 minute after takeoff, he heard a 'loud bang,' followed by a vibration. A forced landing was initiated towards a dirt road. However, prior to landing, the helicopter began to 'spin.' Subsequently, the helicopter impacted trees in a 'slight nose low attitude.' An examination of the helicopter revealed that one tail rotor blade was separated approximately 10 inches from the hub. Further examination revealed the ballast weight which is located on the aft portion of the tailboom, partially disconnected. It was secured to the tailboom only by its forward retaining pin. The ground crew reported that the day prior to the accident, they had observed the ballast weight disconnected at its aft attaching point, and informed the pilot. The pilot reinstalled the ballast weight and secured it with the retaining pin. One of the ground crew also reported that 'the pin seemed to lock in place.' ## Factual narrative On September 12, 1996, at 0923 central daylight time, a Hiller UH12E, N156HA, registered to and operated by Summit Helicopters Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of tail rotor control near Hamburg, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The helicopter departed Hamburg about daybreak, and had completed spraying several tracts of land prior to the accident. The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge that he had refueled and loaded chemicals at a field location. About 1 minute after takeoff, he heard a "loud bang," followed by a vibration. A forced landing was initiated towards a dirt road. However, prior to landing, the helicopter began to "spin." Subsequently, the helicopter impacted trees in a "slight nose low attitude." An examination of the helicopter at the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed that one tail rotor blade was separated approximately 10 inches from the hub. Both main rotor blades were damaged, and the main transmission was partially separated from its mounts. Further examination of the helicopter revealed that the tailboom ballast weight was partially disconnected. It was secured to the tailboom only by its forward retaining pin. The ground crew reported that the day prior to the accident, they had observed the tailboom ballast weight disconnected at its aft attaching point. They informed the pilot, and observed him reinstalling the ballast weight and securing it with the retaining pin. One of the ground crew also reported that "the pin seemed to lock in place." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N156HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N156HA-1996-12-20), registration cancelled 1996-12-20, S/N HA3056 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hiller UH12E - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: HA3056 - Airframe hours: 6091 - Engines: Allison 250C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Summit Helicopters, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 19, 1996, 98 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ELD, 49 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 19960912027589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960912027589A), Sep 12, 1996: Hiller UH12E, Hamburg, AR, Destroyed. Helicopter experienced possible tail rotor failure during aerial application. (-23) on September 12, 1996 at 0948, central daylight time, a Hiller UH12E,… 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.