Williams Helicopter CORP UH 1H accident near Waitsburg, Washington, May 23, 2014
On May 23, 2014 at about 11:02 pm local time, a 1970 Williams Helicopter CORP UH 1H, registered N260TA, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Waitsburg, Washington. It was a positioning 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
An extreme vibration immediately after entering forward flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to maintain helicopter control during the landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 2014 · about 11:02 pm local time
- Place
- Waitsburg, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Williams Helicopter CORP UH 1H, built 1970 · all UH 1Hs on the register
- Registration
- N260TA · registry record · serial 70-15750
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was conducting an agricultural cherry drying flight in the helicopter. Surveillance video showed the helicopter lift off the ground into a momentary low hover, climb and move forward and upward, and then immediately descend while rolling toward its right side until it impacted the ground. The pilot stated that the initial takeoff into the hover felt normal and that he then increased the altitude to get out of a dust cloud generated by the helicopter. As he transitioned the helicopter to forward flight, it experienced a "violent" one-to-one vibration that continued to increase as the helicopter continued forward. The pilot aborted the takeoff and subsequently lost control of the helicopter while attempting to land. Postaccident wreckage examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Attain/maintain not possible
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring › Documentation/record keeping › (general) › Manufacturer
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 18,631 hours in all; 4,460 in this make and model; 18,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,315 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, May 23, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 9,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell T-53-703 (turboshaft); 3,266 hours total
- Operator: Archer Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: Waitsburg WA at 11:02 pm
- Destination: Waitsburg WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 9,500 ft; a few clouds at 4,700 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from KALW, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on June 8, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Walla Walla County Sheriff Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Surveillance Video 1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Surveillance Video 2 (Shelf Item) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Surveillance Video 3 (Shelf Item) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photos | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.