Hiller UH-12D crash near Mehama, OR, United States

A Hiller UH-12D helicopter (N2297W) operated by Western Helicopters was destroyed while conducting agricultural spraying operations over Christmas tree fields near Mehama, Oregon. The 65-year-old pilot, Terry Harchenko of Salem, was killed. The support truck operator reported the helicopter departed the truck toward the next field, then heard the pilot radio "going down." The helicopter struck tall trees between fields and came to rest upside down at the base of a tree. A post-impact fire consumed the cabin and engine compartment. The operator reported the turbine engine section had been removed and reinstalled three times in the prior month due to continued problems. The NTSB determined loss of engine power as the probable cause.