# NTSB SEA88LA150: Hiller UH-12E, N62404, Leavenworth, WA, August 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1988, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Leavenworth, WA
- Coordinates: 47.810401, -120.859245 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8104&lon=-120.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA150

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - emergency procedure - simulated
  - flare - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE PIC REPORTED THAT DURING A PRACTICE HELICOPTER AUTOROTATION TO A POWER RECOVERY, THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION HELD THE FLARE TOO LONG. THE HELICOPTER'S TAIL GUARD AND TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SPIN. THE PIC REDUCED THE THROTTLE AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED TO THE GROUND. THE PIC REPORTED THAT HE HAD GLANCED AT THE INSTRUMENTSAND WHEN HE LOOKED UP HE REALIZED THE ATTITUDE WAS TOO NOSE HIGH. HE ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT TOO LATE TO PREVENT THE IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62404](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62404-2002-10-21), registration cancelled 2002-10-21, S/N 1033, built 1957 (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: 1033
- Airframe hours: 13344
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 417 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Columbia Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 22, 1988, 44 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,800 total, 130 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19880810032589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880810032589A), Aug 10, 1988: Hiller UH12D, Leavenworth, WA, Substantial damage. Practicing autorotation approaches to a power hover. Held flare too long and tail rotor contacted terrain.

## Other investigations on N62404 (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA92LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA152), Jul 14, 1992: Hiller-Soloy UH12D (N62404), Loman, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A SHORT IN THE FUEL QUANTITY SENSOR/TRANSMITTER, AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, AND A TREE COVERED LANDING 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.

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