Hiller UH12J3 N545HA

Summary

On 12 April 1985 at about 13:45 local time, a Hiller UH12J3 registered N545HA, operated by Western Helicopter Services,, was involved in an accident near Klamath, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. No probable cause statement is available for this record.

Date

12 April 1985 at 13:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Klamath, California, United States

Nearest airport

Private

Coordinates

41.5902, -124.0597

Aircraft

Hiller UH12J3

Registration

N545HA

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Western Helicopter Services,

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

LAX85FA199

1 person was seriously injured.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. No probable cause statement is present in the source data.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS RETURNING TO A PRIVATE LANDING PAD AFTER A RECONAISANCE FLIGHT PRIOR TO SPRATING. AT ABOUT 10FT AGL AFTER FLARING AND LEVELING THE PILOT COULD NOT CONTROL A DRIFT AND ROLL TO THE LEFT. THE ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND WITHIN ABOUT ONE SECOND. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A SELF LOCKING NUT WAS MISSING AND A BOLT HAD BACKED OUT OF THE UPPER FIREWALL BELLCRANK ASSEMBLY RESUTLTING IN THE LOSSOF CYCLIC CONTROL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.