# NTSB LAX81DUK03: Hiller Acft UH-12E, N62903, Gadsden, AZ, September 20, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 20, 1981
- Place: Gadsden, AZ · GADSDEN, AZ
- Location: 32.5564° N, 114.7810° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gadsden, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5564&lon=-114.7810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81DUK03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DUK03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2294  81/9/20    GADSDEN,AZ          HILLER ACFT UH-12E  CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 32, 4353
        TIME - 0200                    N62903              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 256 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GADSDEN,AZ                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT                      TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  125                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - SECOND 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- BGN SETTLING DRG PROCEDURE TURN OVR 60FT WIRES,UN TO STOP DSCNT W COLLECTIVE/THROTTLE.SUGAR BEETS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62903](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62903-1984-01-18), registration cancelled 1984-01-18, S/N 1097 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER ACFT UH-12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810920059619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810920059619A), Sep 20, 1981: Hiller UH12E, Gadsden, AZ, Substantial damage. Developed high sink rate on turnaround from a night spray run. Sink rate unchecked. Hit ground and rolled.

## Other investigations on N62903 (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 LAX75DUJ14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75DUJ14), Jul 19, 1974: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N62903), Gadsden, AZ, 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.

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