# NTSB LAX87DUJ05: Hiller UH-12E, N4034T, Tolleson, AZ, May 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1987, 07:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Tolleson, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.420104, -112.270889 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4201&lon=-112.2709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25309
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUJ05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25309/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUJ05

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Roll over, standing - engine(s) operating
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE LANDED THE ACFT ON A PLATFORM ON TOP OF A CHEMICAL TANK TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT SLOPE WITH ITS LEFT SIDE SIX INCHES LOWER THAN THE RIGHT. THE PLT REDUCED POWER TO IDLE AND THE LOADER BEGAN TO LOAD THE HELICOPTER WITH LIQUID CHEMICAL. THE HELICOPTER'S TAIL BEGAN TO DROP AND BEFORE THE PLT COULD INCREASE POWER TO RESUME FLIGHT, THE HELICOPTER FELL OFF THE PLATFORM (A HEIGHT OF 12 FEET) AND WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4034T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4034T-1993-11-23), registration cancelled 1993-11-23, S/N 5190 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5190
- Airframe hours: 1720
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Robert L. Leverton, doing business as Country Boy Drop Dusting Co.
- Registered owner: R.S. Leverton/G.E. Leverton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1987, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22,100 total, 200 in this make and model, 22,100 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870519014169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870519014169A), May 19, 1987: Hiller UH12E, Tolleson, AZ, Destroyed. The helicopter fell off a truck platform while loading chemicals. The pilot failed to anticipate CG shift.

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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