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NTSB Report
September 9, 1994 · Hiller UH-12E · N12RF
Grand Junction, CO
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N12RF
Operator
Fowler Richard L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA296
WHILE ON A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, PRACTICING TOWARDS GAINING A HELICOPTER RATING, THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION TO A SAND BAR. THE AIRSPEED AND SINK RATE BECAME EXCESSIVE AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD RESULTING IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRIKING THE TAIL BOOM.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION IN CORRECTING FOR EXCESSIVE SPEED AND SINK RATE DURING AN AUTOROTATION. FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND SINK RATE.
Full Narrative
On September 9, 1994, at 1240 mountain daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N12RF, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing. The pilot was not injured on this local area solo instructional flight which departed Grand Junction, Colorado, at 1219. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot was not helicopter rated and was in the process of receiving instruction towards gaining that rating. The pilot stated he was practicing autorotations to a sand bar near the Colorado River. He said his forward speed and descent rate became excessive and he applied aft cyclic to recover. Touchdown was hard and the main rotor struck the tail boom. Density altitude at the time of the accident was approximately 7,500 feet and the wind was light and variable.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN12RF
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFowler Richard L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-C2A · Reciprocating · 305
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility70 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC