Hiller UH-12E accident near Hastings, Nebraska, July 25, 2001
On July 25, 2001 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Hiller UH-12E (helicopter), registered N67067, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hastings, Nebraska. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Aircraft control not being maintained by the pilot which resulted in the encountered settling with power flight condition during the initial climb. Factors to the accident were the reported variable winds during the takeoff and the corn crop.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 2001 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hastings, Nebraska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH-12E · all UH-12Es on the register
- Registration
- N67067 · no longer on the register · serial 1781
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff the pilot was unable to maintain altitude resulting in an in-flight collision with the terrain. The helicopter subsequently rolled over when the right skid contacted a row of corn. The pilot reported that he was using the bed of a service truck for takeoff and landing operations. The pilot stated that on his last takeoff, "... the wind dropped off, causing helicopter to settle. Control was maintained and proceed to translational lift. Helicopter crossed barren ground rizing from 2-3 feet to about 8 feet. Crossed over into cornfield. Helicopter began to settle again maintained control to ground. Helicopter slid about 10 feet. Right front skid caught on corn row causing helicopter to flip onto right side, and come to a stop."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,801 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 6, 2001
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-540-C2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Hastings NE at 4:30 pm
- Destination: Hastings NE
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,100 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from HSI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.