Hiller UH-12E accident near Powder River, Wyoming, October 30, 2008
On October 30, 2008 at about 2:40 pm local time, a Hiller UH-12E (helicopter), registered N61436, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Powder River, Wyoming. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A flight control system malfunction while the helicopter was maneuvering at low altitude due to the failure/separation of the rotor blade control tube.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 30, 2008 · about 2:40 pm local time
- Place
- Powder River, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH-12E · all UH-12Es on the register
- Registration
- N61436 · no longer on the register · serial 5017
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While maneuvering about 50 feet above ground level during an aerial observation flight, one blade associated with the control rotor assembly separated from the helicopter, and a violent vibration started. Unable to maintain control, the pilot made a forced landing on the underlying sloping terrain, and the helicopter rolled over. During the subsequent inspection of the rotor system, one of the two control rotor blade assemblies was found separated from the rotor head. A rotor blade control tube had cracked and broken off outboard of the two attachment bolts. The component had been operated 21 hours since receiving its last inspection. The reason for the cracking and separation of the control tube could not be determined.
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
What happened, in order
- Flight control sys malf/fail during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Rotorcraft flight control › Main rotor control › Failure
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,908 hours in all; 448 in this make and model; 39 in the last 90 days; 33 in the last 30 days; 1,778 as pilot in command; 410 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 23, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,115 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 20, 2008; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-540 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Wyoming Air CORP
The flight
- Departed from: Powder River WY at 2:30 pm
- Destination: Powder River WY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.