# NTSB LAX03CA284: Hiller UH12E, N9792C, Kekaha, HI, September 9, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 9, 2003, 12:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Kekaha, HI - Location: 21.9679° N, 159.7152° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kekaha, HI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB coordinates: 22.95, -159.716659, outside the stated state - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.9679&lon=-159.7152&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57915 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57915/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA284 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires due to an inadequate visual lookout. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, descent - normal - object - wire,transmission - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The helicopter collided with power lines during aerial application operations. The pilot was returning to the service truck for another load [of chemicals]. At the top of a ridge, approximately 500 feet mean sea level, there were two power lines of which he was unaware. During a descent at 60 knots, the helicopter impacted the top wire "about the middle of the bubble." As a result, it pitched forward and the main rotor blade cut the wire and tail boom off in sequence. The helicopter began spinning to the right and the pilot performed an autorotation. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2003, at 1215 Hawaiian standard time, a restricted category Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N9792C, collided with power lines during aerial application operations near Kekaha, Hawaii. Murray Ag, Inc., the registered owner, was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The helicopter sustained substantial damage; the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed a local field at 1200. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was returning to the service truck for another load [of chemicals]. At the top of a ridge, approximately 500 feet mean sea level, there were two power lines of which he was unaware. During a descent at 60 knots, the helicopter impacted the top wire "about the middle of the bubble." As a result, it pitched forward and the main rotor blade cut the wire and tail boom off in sequence. The helicopter began spinning to the right and the pilot performed an autorotation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9792C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9792C-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 2277, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hiller UH12E - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2277 - Engines: Lycoming VO 540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Murray Ag, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Polihale, HI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 10,516 total, 1,077 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: PHLI ## 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 20030909036289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030909036289A), Sep 9, 2003: Hiller UH12E, Kekaha, HI, Destroyed. (-23) This was a part 137 aerial application operation on the island of kauai, vicinity of barking sands, pmfr. The PIC was not aware wires were in the… ## Other investigations on N9792C (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 ANC76DAG05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG05), Jul 2, 1975: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N9792C), Yakataga, AK, 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.