# NTSB SEA87LA186: Hiller UH-12E, N8QA, Quincy, WA, September 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1987, 18:55 local (Sep 12, 1987, 01:55 UTC)
- Place: Quincy, WA
- Coordinates: 47.169097, -119.800216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1691&lon=-119.8002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA186

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER THE PILOT FLEW INTO TWO 23,000 VOLT POWERLINES. THE HELICOPTER'S ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE POWERLINES, THE AIRCRAFT TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8QA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8QA-1990-07-19), registration cancelled 1990-07-19, S/N 1073 (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: 1073
- Airframe hours: 12046
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Quincy Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Quincy Flying Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,620 total, 1,730 in this make and model, 4,525 as pilot in command, 397 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19870911080449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870911080449A), Sep 11, 1987: Hiller UH12D, Quincy, WA, Destroyed. Struck a powerline and crashed during aerial ag applications manuever.

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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