Hiller UH 12E
Frankfort, KS — September 20, 2018
Event Information
| Date | September 20, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA573 |
| Event ID | 20180925X94854 |
| Location | Frankfort, KS |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.70555, -96.41695 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Hiller |
| Model | UH 12E |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 133 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Probable Cause
The ground crewmember's improper grabbing of the hovering helicopter's skid during an external load hook-up, which resulted in the helicopter descending and the main rotors striking ground equipment.
Full Narrative
The pilot in the skid-equipped helicopter reported that he established a hover over a seeding bucket, so that the bucket could be attached to the helicopter's cargo hook by the ground crew. One of the ground crewmembers grabbed the skid while trying to connect the bucket, and the helicopter descended. The main rotor blades struck the auger on the seed tender. The helicopter came to rest upright, on top of a grass bale in front of the seed tender.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and the tail rotor drive systems.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.