# NTSB SEA82DA057: Hiller-Soloy 12E, N62377, Christmas Valle, OR, April 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1982, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Christmas Valle, OR
- Coordinates: 43.180316, -120.960197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1803&lon=-120.9602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70244/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA057

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - idling rotors
  - object (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous - inadvertent, ground personnel (cause)
  - inadequate training, ground personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED TO STRING A TRANSMISSION LINE. A ROPE (ATTACH LINE) WAS USED TO CONNECT THE HELICOPTER TO THE TRANSMISSION LINE. THE ROPE BECAME DETACHED AND THE PILOT LANDED TO HAVE IT REATTACHED. A MAN, INVOLVED IN THE GROUND OPERATIONS, APPROACHED THE HELICOPTER WHILE PULLING THE ROPE WIHT HIS RIGHT HAND. THE OTHER END OF THE ROPE EXTENDED UP TO THE TOP OF A 100 FT TOWER WHERE IT WAS CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION LINE. AS THE ROPE WAS PULLED TOWARD THE HELICOPTER THE CENTER PORTION RAISED OFF THE GROUND AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ROPE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THE ROPE ATTACH LINE WAS PULLED THROUGH THE MAN'S HAND AT HIGH SPEED. HE WAS HOSPITALIZED UNTIL 4/26/82 WITH INJURIES TO HIS THUMB AND HAND. ONE ROTOR BLADE RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62377](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62377-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 1152, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER-SOLOY 12E
- 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: 1152
- Airframe hours: 10023
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: James T. Reed
- Registered owner: Mountain Air Helicopters
- Departed: CHRISTMAS VALLE, OR
- Destination: CHRISTMAS VALLE, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,305 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Temperature: 145 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 56 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 19820423012029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820423012029A), Apr 23, 1982: Hiller UH12E, Christmas Valle, OR, Minor damage. Ground man injured when tow line cable caught in helicopter rotors during attempt to refasten tow line.

## Other investigations on N62377 (3)

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 SEA84LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA066), Mar 12, 1984: Hiller UH-12E (N62377), Forest Grove, OR, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA81DYE31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81DYE31), Jun 10, 1981: Hiller UN-12D (N62377), Castle Rock, WA, destroyed
- [NTSB SEA80DYE03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DYE03), Oct 29, 1979: Hiller Acft UH-12D (N62377), Amanda Park, WA, 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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