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NTSB Report
August 17, 1988 · Hiller UH-12E · N65120
Thermal, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Thermal, CA
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N65120
Operator
West Farm Air
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX88DUG06
SHORTLY AFTER REFUELING THE HELICOPTER & RELOADING THE HOPPER, THE PLT TOOK OFF & WAS STARTING TO SPRAY A FIELD WHEN THE ENG SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE PLT SAID THE HELICOPTER WAS DSCNDG FROM ABOUT 30 FT WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED; THUS, HE BARELY HAD TIME TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE, BUT IT SKIDDED INTO A 1 FT BERM, ROLLED OVER & CAME TO REST IN A MUDDY/FLOODED FIELD. MUD & WATER WERE FOUND IN THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL CONTAMINATION WAS NOT THE RESULT OF IMPACT & INVERSION. A CHECK OF THE MOBILE REFUELING UNIT REVEALED IT CONTAINED CRACKS WHICH ALLOWED MOISTURE & OTHER CONTAMINANTS TO ENTER. ALSO, THE MOBILE UNIT'S FUEL FILTER WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED & WAS NOT REMOVING CONTAMINANTS FROM THE FUEL.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER REFUELING THE HELICOPTER & RELOADING THE HOPPER, THE PLT TOOK OFF & WAS STARTING TO SPRAY A FIELD WHEN THE ENG SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE PLT SAID THE HELICOPTER WAS DSCNDG FROM ABOUT 30 FT WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED; THUS, HE BARELY HAD TIME TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE, BUT IT SKIDDED INTO A 1 FT BERM, ROLLED OVER & CAME TO REST IN A MUDDY/FLOODED FIELD. MUD & WATER WERE FOUND IN THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL CONTAMINATION WAS NOT THE RESULT OF IMPACT & INVERSION. A CHECK OF THE MOBILE REFUELING UNIT REVEALED IT CONTAINED CRACKS WHICH ALLOWED MOISTURE & OTHER CONTAMINANTS TO ENTER. ALSO, THE MOBILE UNIT'S FUEL FILTER WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED & WAS NOT REMOVING CONTAMINANTS FROM THE FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:05 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN65120
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWest Farm Air
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-C2A · Reciprocating · 305
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO