# NTSB FTW97LA131: Hiller UH-12E, N136HA, Donna, TX, March 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 1997, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Donna, TX - Coordinates: 26.159246, -98.049499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1592&lon=-98.0495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20175 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20175/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA131 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines during an aerial application flight. A factor was the power lines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The helicopter impacted a set of north-south aligned power lines at the mid point between two poles during an aerial application flight. The helicopter came to rest on its side in an onion field approximately 400 feet east from the point of impact with the wires. Authorities reported that wires were found wrapped around the helicopter's tail rotor assembly. According to the FAA inspector, the helicopter approached the dark green onion field to be sprayed from the east, while flying over a fleshly plowed field which exhibited a light tan/sandy shade of color. The FAA inspector added that the poles and the power lines that the helicopter impacted with lay directly between light and dark colored fields. A completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was not received from the pilot/operator of the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 1997, at 1730 central standard time, a Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N136HA, was substantially damaged when it impacted wires while maneuvering near Donna, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was seriously injured. The helicopter was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The helicopter's time of departure is unknown. According to local law enforcement personnel, the helicopter impacted a set of north-south aligned power lines at the mid point between two poles during an aerial application flight. The helicopter came to rest on its side in an onion field approximately 400 feet east from the point of impact with the wires. Authorities further reported that wires were found wrapped around the helicopter's tail rotor assembly. According to the FAA inspector, the helicopter approached the dark green onion field to be sprayed from the east, while flying over a fleshly plowed field which exhibited a light tan/sandy shade of color. The FAA inspector added that the poles and the power lines that the helicopter impacted lay directly between light and dark colored fields. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the lower portion of the fuselage structure sustained structural damage, the skid landing gear collapsed and the fertilizer tank was intact. Imprints of the electrical wires were found on the front landing gear cross tubes. The pilot was interviewed by an FAA inspector at the hospital. The result of the interview is enclosed in the attached inspector's statement. Numerous attempts, albeit unsuccessful, were made by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to obtain a Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot/operator of the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N136HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N136HA-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N HA3036, 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 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: HA3036 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Conversion Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: ALI, ALICE, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19970319006419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970319006419A), Mar 19, 1997: Hiller UH12E, Donna, TX, Substantial damage. Struck power line during a spray run. Crashed. Field colors andl light condition made wires hard to see. (.19) on March 19, 1997, at 1730 central standard… ## Other investigations on N136HA (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 ATL86FEK03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FEK03), Jul 15, 1986: Hiller UH-12E (N136HA), Pataskala, OH, substantial damage 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.