Hiller UH12E N156HA
12 September 1996 · Hamburg, Arkansas, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 12 September 1996 at about 14:23 local time, a Hiller UH12E registered N156HA was involved in an accident near Hamburg, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:23
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Hamburg, Arkansas, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.2202, -91.7894
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH12E
- Registration
- N156HA
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 137: Agricultural
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Application
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW96LA385
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The loss of tail rotor control as result of a tail rotor blade strike by a partially disconnected ballast weight, due to a disconnected pin. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot reported that he had refueled the helicopter and loaded chemicals at a field location. About 1 minute after takeoff, he heard a 'loud bang,' followed by a vibration. A forced landing was initiated towards a dirt road. However, prior to landing, the helicopter began to 'spin.' Subsequently, the helicopter impacted trees in a 'slight nose low attitude.' An examination of the helicopter revealed that one tail rotor blade was separated approximately 10 inches from the hub. Further examination revealed the ballast weight which is located on the aft portion of the tailboom, partially disconnected. It was secured to the tailboom only by its forward retaining pin. The ground crew reported that the day prior to the accident, they had observed the ballast weight disconnected at its aft attaching point, and informed the pilot. The pilot reinstalled the ballast weight and secured it with the retaining pin. One of the ground crew also reported that 'the pin seemed to lock in place.'
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Hiller UH12E accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Apr 1994 | Hiller UH12E | Valdez, Alaska, United States | Iverson, Peter B. | No injuries | - |
| 22 Oct 1993 | Hiller UH12E | Sioux Rapids, Iowa, United States | Jackson, Warren A. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Mar 1993 | Hiller UH12E | Greeleyville, South Carolina, United States | H and M Aircraft Leasing | No injuries | - |
| 11 Feb 2002 | Hiller UH12E | Miami, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 9 Sep 2003 | Hiller UH12E | Kekaha, Hawaii, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Aug 1988 | Hiller UH12E | Bard, California, United States | West Farm Air, Inc. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Feb 1996 | Grumman G-164A | Dewitt, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Feb 1996 | Rockwell S-2R | Winchester, Arkansas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Feb 1996 | Rockwell 500U | Hampton, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Mar 1996 | Air Tractor AT-502 | Texarkana, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Apr 1996 | Cessna 172K | Danville, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Apr 1996 | Cessna 182P | Fordyce, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |