# NTSB GAA18CA573: Hiller UH 12E, N1349A, Frankfort, KS, September 20, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 20, 2018, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, KS
- Coordinates: 39.705554, -96.416946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7056&lon=-96.4169&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA573
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98391/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98391
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA573

## Probable cause

The ground crewmember's improper grabbing of the hovering helicopter's skid during an external load hook-up, which resulted in the helicopter descending and the main rotors striking ground equipment.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-hover: External load event (Rotorcraft)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot in the skid-equipped helicopter reported that he established a hover over a seeding bucket so that the ground crew could attach the bucket to the helicopter's cargo hook. One of the ground crewmembers grabbed the skid while trying to connect the bucket, and subsequently, the helicopter descended, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking ground equipment. The helicopter subsequently came to rest upright on top of a grass bale in front of the equipment. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and tail rotor drive systems. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot in the skid-equipped helicopter reported that he established a hover over a seeding bucket, so that the bucket could be attached to the helicopter's cargo hook by the ground crew. One of the ground crewmembers grabbed the skid while trying to connect the bucket, and the helicopter descended. The main rotor blades struck the auger on the seed tender. The helicopter came to rest upright, on top of a grass bale in front of the seed tender. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and the tail rotor drive systems. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1349A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1349A), registered now, S/N 2035 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hiller UH 12E (Undesignat)
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2035
- Year built: 1960
- Airframe hours: 4654.1
- Engines: Lycoming VO-540-C2A 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: External load, Part 133
- Operator: Sky Copters Inc.
- Registered owner: Sky Copters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2018
- Departed: Frankfort, KS
- Destination: Frankfort, KS
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 2, 2017; seat: center; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11,030 total, 6,980 in this make and model, 10,925 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 13 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KBIE, 39 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 20180920013899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180920013899A), Sep 20, 2018: Hiller UH-12E, Frankfort, KS, Substantial damage. September 20, 2018 12:30 zulu ? Clear sky with 20-25 mph wind. First flight of the day, the pilot lifted the aircraft off and clear of the helicopter transport…

## Other investigations on N1349A (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 CHI95LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA202), Jun 27, 1995: Hiller UH-12E (N1349A), Blue Rapids, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the leaking drain in the main fuel sump. Factors to the accident were the incorrect fuel indication, the ravine, fuel exhaustion, and the low rotor RPM.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 13, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98391. 3.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.

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