# NTSB SEA05CA086: Williams Helicopter UH-1B, N334WN, Uniontown, WA, April 25, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 25, 2005, 09:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Uniontown, WA
- Coordinates: 46.516944, -117.077224
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5169&lon=-117.0772&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 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA086

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while maneuvering, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking a power pole.  The power pole was a factor in the accident.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

In a written statement the pilot reported that he was conducting spray operations, under power lines, when the helicopter was "hit" with a gust of wind that was sufficient enough to "push the helicopter" toward a series of power poles.  The pilot further stated that he was unable to correct his flight path and the helicopter's main rotor blade subsequently impacted a power pole resulting in substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

On April 25, 2005, about 0940 Pacific daylight time, a restricted category Williams UH-1B helicopter (formally a Bell UH-1B), N334WN, sustained substantial damage following a main rotor blade strike during an aerial application operation near Uniontown, Washington.  The helicopter is registered to Leading Edge Aviation of Lewiston, Idaho, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) agricultural flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 137, when the accident occurred.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  A company flight plan was in effect for the local flight that originated in Uniontown approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident.

In a written statement dated April 20, the pilot reported that he was conducting spray operations, under power lines, when the helicopter was "hit" with a gust of wind that was sufficient enough to "push the helicopter" toward a series of power poles.  The pilot further stated that he was unable to correct his flight path and the helicopter's main rotor blade subsequently impacted a power pole resulting in substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N334WN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N334WN), registered now, S/N 62-2097, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Williams Helicopter UH-1B
- Registry model: [Williams Helicopter UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/williams-helicopter-uh-1b) (registry code 9790871) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41552, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 62-2097
- Engines: Lycoming T53 turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Leading Edge Aviat, doing business as Same
- Registered owner: Pope, Jim Dean
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: Uniontown, WA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 9,445 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 397 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050425035029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050425035029A), Apr 25, 2005: Bell UH1B, Uniontown, WA, Destroyed. (-23) N334WN, a 1962 williams WH-UH1B helicopter was destroyed in a FAR part 137 aerial application accident. This aircraft was operated by leading edge…

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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