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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 17, 1998 · Hiller UH-12E · N893FW

Wenatchee, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Wenatchee, WA
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N893FW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA99LA022

The game survey flight had departed Wenatchee about 2.5 hours before the accident. The pilot had planned on landing at Brewster, Washington, where a truck was located for refueling during the survey flight. Weather at the refueling site precluded landing, so the pilot had elected to return to Wenatchee. He experienced a loss of engine power and autorotated to the surface one mile northwest of Wenatchee, Washington. Immediately before the loss of power, he noted a low fuel-pressure light. He stated to FAA inspectors that he had sustained fuel exhaustion.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to accomplish refueling.

Full Narrative

On December 17, 1998, at 1559 Pacific standard time, a Hiller UH-12E, N893FW, experienced a loss of engine power and autorotated to the surface one mile northwest of Wenatchee, Washington. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were uninjured, but the helicopter sustained substantial damage. No flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR 91 game survey flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot disabled the ELT immediately after the impact. The flight had departed Wenatchee about 2.5 hours before the accident. The pilot had planned on landing at Brewster, Washington, where a truck was located for refueling during the survey flight. Weather at the refueling site precluded landing, so the pilot had elected to return to Wenatchee. Immediately before the loss of power, the pilot noted a low fuel-pressure light. The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that he had sustained fuel exhaustion.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:59 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN893FW
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-C2A · Reciprocating · 309
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 20 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data