# NTSB SEA85LA126: Hiller UH-12E, N37HS, Athena, OR, May 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1985, 17:30 local (May 31, 1985, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Athena, OR
- Coordinates: 45.830184, -118.510848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8302&lon=-118.5108&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): 40166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA126

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF BEFORE ACHIEVING TRANSLATIOANAL LIFT. THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TEST A NEW SPRAY UNIT THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED.HE HAD PUT 80 GALLONS OF WATER IN THE SPRAY TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37HS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37HS-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 62-3770, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1418
- Airframe hours: 6472
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-C2A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Moutray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1985
- Departed: ATHENA, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,865 total, 65 in this make and model, 10,865 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19850530051569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850530051569A), May 30, 1985: Hiller UH12E, Athena, OR, Destroyed. Pilot was testing new spray unit. Aircraft settled back to ground after liftoff. Full power applied, rolled over.

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.