# NTSB WPR22LA245: Hiller UH-12E, N130HA, Wenatchee, WA, July 6, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 6, 2022, 09:21 local (16:21 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA · Cherry Orchard
- Coordinates: 47.3329, -120.1501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3329&lon=-120.1501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105452
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105452/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105452
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA245

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level operations in light rain conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the helicopter at low altitude over a cherry field in light rain conditions. As he air taxied about 30 ft above the ground and about 15 knots, the helicopter struck a power line and landed inverted on a tractor. The helicopter was destroyed by the postcrash fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N130HA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N130HA), registered now, S/N HA3030 (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: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: HA3030
- Year built: 1975
- Airframe hours: 7326.5
- Engines: LYCOMING VO540C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: C&C Helicopters Inc
- Registered owner: C&C Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2022
- Airport: NA
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: serious; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,411.8 total, 1,403.2 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: KEAT, 4 nm away
- METAR: METAR KEAT 061655Z AUTO 25005KT 10SM -RA OVC100 17/14 A2993 RMK AO2 RAB03 SLP130 P0000 T01720139=

## 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 20220706012029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220706012029A), Jul 6, 2022: Hiller UH-12E, Wenatchee, WA, Destroyed. Pilot was drying cherries when he made a turn and hit power lines that went through the field. After hitting the power lines the main rotor separated from the…

## Other investigations on N130HA (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 WPR15LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA138), Mar 29, 2015: Hiller UH 12E (N130HA), Firebaugh, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB MIA94LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA029), Nov 26, 1993: Hiller UH-12E (N130HA), Moore Haven, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOLLOWING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105452. 4.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14303014&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA245%20Pilot%20Report%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14284803&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20WPRLA245-Rel.pdf

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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