Hiller UH 12E accident near Kamiah, ID
On August 31, 2010, a Hiller UH 12E (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Kamiah, ID. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 31, 2010
- Place
- Kamiah, ID
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH 12E · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.227°N, 116.037°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100831X45241
Official records · WPR10FA440
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Record of Communications; IDFG Manager: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Record of Communications re Flight Following: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 31, 2010, about 0929 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N67264, was substantially damaged when it impacted utility lines, a travel trailer, and the ground in Kamiah, Idaho, about 35 minutes after departure. The commercial pilot and the two passengers, both of whom were biologists with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), were fatally injured. The helicopter was owned by Leading Edge Aviation (LEA), and was under the operational control of IDFG as a wildlife survey flight. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and in accordance with the IDFG Clearwater Region "Regional Summary of Procedures for Monitoring Low Level Aerial Survey Operations," dated December 31, 2009. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A notification for automated flight following (AFF) was filed and activated with the Idaho State Communications Center, referred to as "StateComm." The biologists arrived at the LEA helicopter base, Skid Row Seaplane Base (WT33) Clarkston, Washington, about 0800. Flight preparations and briefings were conducted, and most of the biologists' gear was secured in cases on external racks on the helicopter. The plan was for the helicopter to fly about 70 miles to the east to rendezvous with an LEA fuel truck, refuel, and then conduct the survey. The pilot seated himself in the center seat, the female biologist was in the right seat, and the male biologist was in the left seat. The helicopter departed WT33 about 0850, and the first AFF return from the helic
Probable cause
In-flight impact of a passenger's metal clipboard with the helicopter’s tail rotor, which resulted in destruction of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The original location of the clipboard and how it became free could not be determined.
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Browse: Idaho · 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.
