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August 20, 1988 · Hiller UH-12A · N4828E
Paducah, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Paducah, KY
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12A
Tail Number
N4828E
Operator
James F Allen
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA232
AFTER DEPARTURE THE ENG QUIT & PIC MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN A WOODED AREA. INITIAL EXAM OF ENG REVEALED WATER IN THE CARB FLOAT BOWL. INVESTIGATION SHOWED HELO HAD 100 HR INSPECTION RECORDED IN THE LOG, BUT MAY HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO SERVICE BY MECHANIC WITHOUT INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION AS AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. HELO RECORDS WERE OBTAINED BY ONE OF THE MECHANICS FROM THE SAME REPAIR STATION, BUT NOT GIVEN TO FAA INSPECTOR & LATER LOST. LATER EXAM OF THE ENG SHOWED HOLES IN ACCESSORY CASE. PARTIAL TEARDOWN SHOWED THAT THE LEFT MAG DRIVE COUPLING NUT COTTER KEY WAS MISSING. IT IS BELIEVED THE COTTER KEY WAS NOT INSTALLED OR WAS DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION & BACKED OUT OF THE NUT ALLOWING THE NUT TO BACK OFF & THE DRIVE COUPLING TO DISCONNECT. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT. THE PLTS LOG BOOKS HAVE NOT BEEN LOCATED. THE ACFT ROLLED OVER AFTER LNDG.
Full Narrative
AFTER DEPARTURE THE ENG QUIT & PIC MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN A WOODED AREA. INITIAL EXAM OF ENG REVEALED WATER IN THE CARB FLOAT BOWL. INVESTIGATION SHOWED HELO HAD 100 HR INSPECTION RECORDED IN THE LOG, BUT MAY HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO SERVICE BY MECHANIC WITHOUT INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION AS AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. HELO RECORDS WERE OBTAINED BY ONE OF THE MECHANICS FROM THE SAME REPAIR STATION, BUT NOT GIVEN TO FAA INSPECTOR & LATER LOST. LATER EXAM OF THE ENG SHOWED HOLES IN ACCESSORY CASE. PARTIAL TEARDOWN SHOWED THAT THE LEFT MAG DRIVE COUPLING NUT COTTER KEY WAS MISSING. IT IS BELIEVED THE COTTER KEY WAS NOT INSTALLED OR WAS DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION & BACKED OUT OF THE NUT ALLOWING THE NUT TO BACK OFF & THE DRIVE COUPLING TO DISCONNECT. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT. THE PLTS LOG BOOKS HAVE NOT BEEN LOCATED. THE ACFT ROLLED OVER AFTER LNDG.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:40 CDT
Nearest AirportFarrington Airpark (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length2985 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH-12A
Tail NumberN4828E
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames F Allen
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6V-335-B · Reciprocating · 210
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:40
Weather SourceWFAC