# NTSB SEA83LA059: Hiller UH-12D, N62398, Near Oakridge, OR, February 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1983, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Near Oakridge, OR
- Coordinates: 43.740329, -122.409378 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7403&lon=-122.4094&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA059

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, A 250 LB LOAD ON A 30 FT EXTERNAL LINE HAD BEEN SET DOWN AT A SITE AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 3500 FT MSL. AFTER THE LOAD WAS RELEASED, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TRANSITION FROM A HOVER TO A CLIMB, BUT THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE. ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT FOR THIS SITUATION WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE UPHILL SIDE OF THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 180 DEG AT 10, GUSTING 12 KTS; HOWEVER, HE BELIEVED THAT IT HAD CHANGED OR HAD BECOME CALM WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY AT EUGENE, OR, THE WIND WAS FROM THE SAME DIRECTION AT 16, GUSTING 25 KTS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 4100 FT. THE HELICOPTER WAS WITHIN ITS WT AND BALANCE LIMITS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62398](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62398-2015-04-27), registration cancelled 2015-04-27, S/N 1005, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12D
- Registry model: [Hiller OH-23G](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-oh-23g) (registry code 4360121) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1005
- Airframe hours: 5684
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Ronald G. Fisher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 1982, 0 hours before
- Airport: 06

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,650 total, 130 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EUG, 30 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 19830225005819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830225005819A), Feb 25, 1983: Hiller UH12D, Oakridge, OR, Substantial damage. Put sling load bucket on ground then attempted transition from hover to climb. Helicopter settled to ground impact.

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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