# NTSB WPR25LA246: Hiller UH-12E, N703WA, Fobes Hill, WA, August 11, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 11, 2025, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Fobes Hill, WA - Coordinates: 47.912412, -122.13752 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9124&lon=-122.1375&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2025 - 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): 200757 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200757/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200757 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA246 ## Probable cause The pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid a powerline during an aerial application flight, which resulted in the helicopter’s impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (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: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting an aerial application flight in a field that was crossed by three sets of powerlines. The pilot had previously flown the helicopter under the powerlines, but as the helicopter once again approached them, the pilot perceived they were too low to fly under. The pilot began a hard turn to the right to avoid the wires, and the helicopter “lost lift due to excessive turn and bank.” As a result, the spray boom and main rotor contacted the ground, and the helicopter subsequently rolled over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N703WA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N703WA), registered now, S/N 2276, built 1963 (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: 2276 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 3784 - Engines: Rolls-Royce C20B turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Anthony Ghidossi Chemical LLC, doing business as Anthony Ghidossi Chemical - Registered owner: Anthony Ghidossi Chemical LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 14, 2025 - Airport: S43, Harvey Fld - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: KPAE, 6 nm away - METAR: KPAE 111453Z 34007KT 10SM CLR 20/15 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP181 T02000150 52005 ## 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 20250811010179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250811010179A), Aug 11, 2025: Hiller UH-12E, Snohomish, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he crossed underneath powerlines to continue spraying product then made a right sharp turn. The pilot stated that he was a little low and then met… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200757. 12.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 11.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19171992&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1.%206120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19241902&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1.%20RoC,%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 566 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19171005&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6.%20Investigation%20Photographs-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. --- 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.