# NTSB MKC90LA138: Hiller 12-E, N62397, Watson, MN, June 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1990, 19:00 local (Jun 26, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Watson, MN
- Coordinates: 45.040687, -95.829269 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0407&lon=-95.8293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA138

## Probable cause

PILOT MISJUDGED HIS FLARE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD JUST STARTED AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, AND AFTER CLEARING THE WIRES AND TREES DESCENDED INTO THE FIELD TO BE SPRAYED. THE ACFT FAILED TO ROUND OUT, STRUCK THE TERRAIN, BOUNCED, HIT THE GROUND AGAIN, THEN COLLIDED WITH TREES, GOING BACKWARDS. THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS 87 DEGREES, AND THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST BEEN LOADED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62397](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62397-2002-04-01), registration cancelled 2002-04-01, S/N 1192, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER 12-E
- Registry model: [Hiller H-23D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-h-23d) (registry code 4360120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1192
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bonanza Valley Ave.
- Departed: MVE, MONTE VIDEO, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 8,000 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 5,256 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900625022739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900625022739A), Jun 25, 1990: Hiller H23D, Watson, MN, Substantial damage. Entered field but failed to level off. Hit ground twice and backed into trees.

## Other investigations on N62397 (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 MKC79FTG12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FTG12), Jul 21, 1979: Hiller UH-12D (N62397), Minot, ND, 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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