# NTSB SEA82DA044: Hiller UH-12E, N9060F, Near Toutle, WA, April 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1982, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Toutle, WA
- Coordinates: 46.310626, -122.690536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3106&lon=-122.6905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA044

## Analysis

ABOUT 1 1/2 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD "BANG" WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A VERTICAL AND LATERAL VIBRATION. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DESCEND, PITCH FORWARD, AND ROLL RIGHT AS THE VIBRATION INCREASED. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING ON A NEARBY SAND BAR. AS THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON SLOPING TERRAIN, IT ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE WERE DISASSEMBLED, BUT NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. ONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE CAPS HAD SEPARATED. HOWEVER, THE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE BLADE CAP SEPARATED BEFORE OR AFTER IMPACT. THE CAP WAS NOT FOUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - fuselage - vibration (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9060F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2039
- Airframe hours: 5798
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Terry Witham
- Registered owner: Terry Witham
- Departed: KID VALLEY, WA
- Destination: KID VALLEY, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,092 total, 28 in this make and model, 1,824 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 115 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TDO, 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 19820402007749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820402007749A), Apr 2, 1982: Hiller UH12E, Toutle, WA, Substantial damage. Loud noise and vibration. Made autorotation landing on river sand bar. Rolled. Possible main rotor delamination.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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