# NTSB LAX87DUJ11: Hiller UH-12E, N236HA, Scottsdale, AZ, September 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1987, 05:58 local (12:58 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.499858, -111.78971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4999&lon=-111.7897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25315
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUJ11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25315/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUJ11

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application
  - rotor system,main rotor hub - corroded (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor hub - fatigue (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PLT MADE A TURN-AROUND & WAS STARTING TO MAKE ANOTHER SWATH RUN WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD 'BANG' & THEN THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. AN INSPN OF THE MAIN ROTOR HEAD & PIN REVEALED THE HUB HAD FAILED FROM HI CYCLE FATIGUE. THE FATIGUE ORIGINATED FROM A POINT IN THE HUB PIN BORE WHERE INTERGRANULAR CORROSION HAD OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N236HA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N236HA), registered now, S/N HA3063, built 1977 (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 VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: HA3063
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: San Tan Dusters Inc.
- Registered owner: Tiffany Ag Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 5, 1987, 97 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,011 total, 3,011 in this make and model, 3,011 as pilot in command, 287 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AFB, 20 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 19870901054389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870901054389A), Sep 1, 1987: Hiller UH12E, Scottsdale, AZ, Destroyed. Loud bang while spraying a field. Helicopter crashed out of control. Main rotor hub had broken.

## Other investigations on N236HA (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 WPR11CA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA146), Feb 26, 2011: Hiller UH-12E (N236HA), Colusa, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and an inadvertent encounter with settling with power while flying downwind.

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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