SERS · Hiller UH-12E · 1999-11-02 · STITES, ID, USA
Event
NTSB number
SEA00TA013
Event ID
20001212X20183
Type
Accident
Date
1999-11-02
Location
STITES, ID, USA
Coordinates
46.080829, -115.97068
Injuries
Highest injury
SERS
Fatal
0
Serious
2
Minor
0
Uninjured
1
Total aboard
3
Aircraft
Make
Hiller
Model
UH-12E
Registration
N5388V
FAR Part
PUBU
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
Unk
Probable cause
Inadequate inspection of the control rotor cuff by a company mechanic and subsequent fatigue fracture of the cuff, resulting in an inflight separation of the control rotor blade. Factors contributing to the accident were: inadequate quality control during manufacture; insufficiently defined manufacturer's inspection and repair procedures; inadequate FAA approval of the manufacturer's inspection and repair procedures; power lines in the helicopter's emergency descent flight path; and reduced aircraft controllability following the control rotor separation.