# NTSB MKC87LA145: Hiller 12E, N67139, Ulysess, KS, July 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1987, 06:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Ulysess, KS
- Coordinates: 37.570087, -101.349197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5701&lon=-101.3492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA145

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - rotor system,main rotor hub - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A HELICOPTER AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, ACFT SUFFERED A MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM HUB FAILURE. PIC WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE ACFT AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT RESULTED. ACFT STRUCK THE TERRAIN AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PIC SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. PIC STATED THAT THE COMPLETE ROTOR HEAD, BLADES AND PADDLES, HAD JUST BEEN REINSTALLED, AND AFTER A FLIGHT OF LESS THAN ONE MILE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. PIC FURTHER STATED THAT THE LINKAGE PIN THAT GOES THROUGH THE MAST AND PITCH CHANGE MECHANISM WAS NOT ALIGNED CAUSING THE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67139](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67139-2003-10-28), registration cancelled 2003-10-28, S/N 1623, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER 12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1623
- Airframe hours: 1845
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Tri Rotor Spray
- Registered owner: Tri-Rotor Spray
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 2, 1987, 83 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,520 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19870723038669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870723038669A), Jul 23, 1987: Hiller UH12E, Ulysess, KS, Substantial damage. Unable to control the main rotor blades. Aircraft nosed up. High rate of descent. Collided with ground.

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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