# NTSB SEA97LA072: Hiller UH-12E, N545HA, Glide, OR, March 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 1997, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Glide, OR - Coordinates: 43.239723, -123.000183 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2397&lon=-123.0002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42572 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42572/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA072 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from a power transmission line. Factors relating to the accident included ambient light conditions, which made the power line hard to see. ## 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 - light condition - other (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis While maneuvering his helicopter to finish off the aerial application of chemicals on a field of coniferous trees, the pilot accidentally flew into a power transmission line that ran across the center of the field. According to the pilot, he knew the power line was there, but he had trouble seeing it because of the ambient lighting conditions caused by the overcast sky. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 1997, approximately 0900 Pacific standard time, a turbine-powered Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N545HA, impacted an electrical transmission wire during a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight near Glide, Oregon. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries, and the aircraft, which was being operated by Western Helicopter Services, Inc., sustained substantial damage. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had been in the air about ten minutes, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, who was spraying coniferous trees, he had finished most of the field of trees and was using up his remaining chemical by adding to areas that may not have received full coverage. He knew there was a power line running through the center of the field, but he had trouble seeing it in the light conditions caused by the overcast sky. While maneuvering around the filed, he accidentally flew into the wire, resulting in the helicopter's main rotor mast and main rotor blades impacting the wire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N545HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N545HA-2022-02-05), registration cancelled 2022-02-05, S/N 5045, built 1978 (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: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 5045 - Airframe hours: 7064 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Western Helicopter Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1997, 73 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,600 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °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 19970314003199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970314003199A), Mar 14, 1997: Hiller UH12E, Glide, OR, Substantial damage. Main rotors and mast struck a powerline during spray runs. Knew wires in area but failed to see same. Flat light. ## Other investigations on N545HA (3) 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 LAX85FA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA199), Apr 12, 1985: Hiller UH12J3 (N545HA), Klamath, CA, destroyed - [NTSB SEA80FYM12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FYM12), Jan 17, 1980: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N545HA), Willamina, OR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA79FYK05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYK05), Feb 23, 1979: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N545HA), Springfield, 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.