Hiller UH-12E N703WA

Summary

On 11 August 2025 at about 15:15 local time, a Hiller UH-12E registered N703WA, operated by Anthony Ghidossi Chemical LLC, was involved in an accident near Fobes Hill, Washington, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 August 2025 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Fobes Hill, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Harvey Fld (S43)

Coordinates

47.9124, -122.1375

Aircraft

Hiller UH-12E

Registration

N703WA

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1963

Engines

1

Operator

Anthony Ghidossi Chemical LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR25LA246

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid a powerline during an aerial application flight, which resulted in the helicopter’s impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.