Hiller UH-12E accident near Miltonfreewater, OR
On May 21, 1997, a Hiller UH-12E (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Miltonfreewater, OR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 21, 1997
- Place
- Miltonfreewater, OR
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH-12E · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 45.900°N, 118.340°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X08030
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 21, 1997, at 1051 Pacific daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N3005J, registered to and operated by Blue Mountain Aviation as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, collided with the terrain near Milton Freewater, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight had originated from Walla Walla, Washington, earlier in the day. A witness reported that he was watching the helicopter spray the field. The helicopter was flying at about 500 to 800 feet above the ground and was maneuvering for a spray run. The witness reported that as the helicopter was leveling, he heard a loud bang and saw debris fly off the helicopter. The helicopter then dropped almost straight to the ground, turning slightly to the right in a nose down attitude. The helicopter collided with the terrain in a nose down attitude and on its right side. At the time of the accident, the helicopter was loaded with Dimethoate, an insecticide, that did spill and cover the accident site. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Evidence found at the accident site indicates that one of the main rotor blades separated prior to the collision with the ground. The separated section of blade was not found until about six weeks after the accident. The blade was located in a field some distance away from the accident site. The blade had separated about 34 inches from the blade root. Maintenance records indicate that the last annual inspecti
Probable cause
The main rotor blade separated due to fatigue. Factors were: an Airworthiness Directive was not properly performed, and inadequate inspection of the main rotor blades.
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Browse: Oregon · Hiller aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
