Hiller UH-12E accident near Elk Mound, Wisconsin, June 27, 2003
On June 27, 2003 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Hiller UH-12E (helicopter), registered N62417, was destroyed in an accident near Elk Mound, Wisconsin. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the whirlwind, the turbulence, and the helicopter's low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2003 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Elk Mound, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH-12E · all UH-12Es on the register
- Registration
- N62417 · no longer on the register · serial 1158
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter impacted terrain after encountering a reported "whirlwind." The pilot reported he was on a spray pass at a "good altitude" and at 55 miles per hour. The pilot noted he saw the whirlwind but was not concerned. The pilot stated, "suddenly it felt [he] was slammed into the ground and out of control." The pilot reported the helicopter cartwheeled about 60 to 100 feet before coming 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; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,660 hours in all; 3,204 in this make and model; 7,660 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 16, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,163 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 5, 2003; 44 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO540-C2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WI05 Elk Mound WI at 10:37 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 10:56 pm from EAU, 9 miles away
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.