# NTSB SEA94LA037: Hiller UH-12D, N59366, Sublimity, OR, November 26, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 1993, 08:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Sublimity, OR - Coordinates: 44.860118, -122.730041 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8601&lon=-122.7300&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 September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41859 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41859/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA037 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM UNMARKED TRANSMISSION WIRES. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, AND UNMARKED WIRES IN THE AREA OF OPERATION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT WAS LIFTING TREES FROM A FIELD TO A NEARBY TRUCK AND COLLIDED WITH WIRES WHILE LIFTING OFF WITH THE SECOND LOAD. THE PILOT HAD LOOKED THE FIELD OVER PRIOR TO LIFTING HIS FIRST LOAD, BUT HE FAILED TO SEE THE WIRES. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 1993, approximately 0820 Pacific standard time (PST), a Hiller UH-12D helicopter, N59366, collided with a power line near Sublimity, Oregon. The commercial pilot was not injured, but the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The FAR Part 133 external load flight, which was operating in visual meteorological conditions, was hauling Christmas trees to a nearby truck at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, who had already picked up one load of trees, he inadvertently allowed the main rotor to contact some unseen wires while lifting off with his second load. The pilot said that he had looked the area over from the air prior to picking up the first load, but he did not notice the wires he ultimately contacted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59366](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59366-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 1069, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12D - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12d) (registry code 4360118) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-series) (registry code 03014, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1069 - Airframe hours: 14063 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Registered owner: Mid-Valley Helicopter Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 5, 1993, 57 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,790 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 3,560 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °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 19931126049159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931126049159A), Nov 26, 1993: Hiller UH12D, Sublimity, OR, Substantial damage. Lifting trees on long line struck wires. Had surveyed field prior but failed to see the wires. ## Other investigations on N59366 (2) 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 SEA82FYM11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FYM11), Mar 8, 1982: Hiller UH-12E (N59366), Mount Angle, OR, destroyed - [NTSB SEA80DYM55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DYM55), Aug 19, 1980: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N59366), Tillamook, OR, substantial damage 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.