# NTSB SEA79FYM32: Hiller Acft UH-12E, N161HA, Independence, OR, May 11, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 11, 1979
- Place: Independence, OR · INDEPENDENCE, OR
- Location: 44.8578° N, 123.1977° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Independence, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8578&lon=-123.1977&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA79FYM32
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYM32

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1767  79/5/11    INDEPENDENCE,OR     HILLER ACFT UH-12E  CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 2200
        TIME - 0730                    N161HA              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 700 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - INDEPENDENCE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          INDEPENDENCE,OR             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: MAIN ROTOR HEAD ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CORRODED/CORROSION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISCONNECTED
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LOAD NOT JETTISONED
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - BELLY                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  160
        REMARKS- INCIDENCE PUSH ROD END BEARING FAILED AT OUTER SHELL DRG TRANSLATION LIFT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N161HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N161HA-2004-08-30), registration cancelled 2004-08-30, S/N HA3061, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER ACFT UH-12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-series) (registry code 03014, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Independence

## 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 19790511020589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790511020589A), May 11, 1979: Hiller UH12E, Independence, OR, Substantial damage. Ag copter crashed out of control in a wheat field.. Found evidence push rod failed.

## Other investigations on N161HA (4)

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 LAX94LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA054), Nov 20, 1993: Hiller UH-12E (N161HA), Salinas, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: a fatigue failure of the torsion-tension bar pin due to fretting corrosion. A factor in this accident was an inadequate quality of material utilized in the manufacture of the pin.
- [NTSB LAX85LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA305), Jul 5, 1985: Hiller UH-12E (N161HA), Gonzales, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX85LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA002), Oct 5, 1984: Hiller UH-12E (N161HA), Firebaugh, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA82DYM07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DYM07), Dec 3, 1981: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N161HA), Nashville, OR, 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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