# NTSB SEA86LA062: Hiller UH-12E, N8542F, Odessa, WA, February 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1986, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Odessa, WA
- Coordinates: 47.340038, -118.660758 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3400&lon=-118.6608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA062

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - acft/equip inadequate,equipment interference, other person (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION TO REMOVE GROUNDWIRE OFF CROSSARMS, THE CABLE SPLICE JAMMED IN THE PULLEY FRAME. THE HELICOPTERS FORWARD MOTION STOPPED AND IT THEN STRUCK THE GROUND. THE PILOT SAID THE CARGO HOOK RELEASE DIDN'T WORK BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND IN POST ACCIDENT TESTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8542F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8542F-1991-06-11), registration cancelled 1991-06-11, S/N 1385 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12d) (registry code 4360118) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1385
- Airframe hours: 6547
- Engines: LYCOMING IVO-540-B1A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Donald Gary Beck
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 18, 1986, 7 hours before
- Departed: ODESSA, WA
- Destination: ODESSA, WA
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,686 total, 2,853 in this make and model, 4,553 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °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 19860221022979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860221022979A), Feb 21, 1986: Hiller UH12D, Odessa, WA, Destroyed. Forward motion was stopped due to jammed pulley on external load. Unable to release load. Impacted the ground.

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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