# NTSB SEA85LA090: Hiller UH-12E, N9QA, Okanogan, WA, April 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1985, 07:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Okanogan, WA
- Coordinates: 48.220428, -119.449859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2204&lon=-119.4499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40140
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40140/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA090

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE AT ABOUT 30 FT AGL. THE ACFT THEN ROLLED TO THE RIGHT & STRUCK THE GROUND. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 5 MIN AFTER THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED THE SPRAY AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9QA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1106
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 133
- Registered owner: Wenatchee Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OKANOGAN, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F

## 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 19850412014189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850412014189A), Apr 12, 1985: Hiller UH12E, Okanogan, WA, Destroyed. The agricultural spray helicopter struck powerlines after departing the spraying area.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.