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NTSB Report
October 11, 1989 · Hiller UH-12E · N689SB
Yuma, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 11, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Yuma, AZ
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N689SB
Operator
West Farm Air
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90DUJ03
THE PILOT COMPLETED AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL WHEN HE NOTICED THE ENGINE RPM DECAYING. HE PROCEEDED TO AN OPEN AREA TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. UPON ARRIVING OVER THE OPEN AREA AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT IMMEDIATELY EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION, BUT FLARED TOO HIGH CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY TO STRIKE THE GROUND. A WRECKAGE EXAM DSCLSD THAT THE ENGINE TORSIONAL COUPLING RUBBER MOUNTS HAD SEPARATED. THIS CONDITION CAUSED AN OVERSPEED WHICH ULTIMATELY SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE ALTITUDE. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE TORSIONAL COUPLING WHICH ULTIMATELY CAUSED THE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT COMPLETED AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL WHEN HE NOTICED THE ENGINE RPM DECAYING. HE PROCEEDED TO AN OPEN AREA TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. UPON ARRIVING OVER THE OPEN AREA AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT IMMEDIATELY EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION, BUT FLARED TOO HIGH CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY TO STRIKE THE GROUND. A WRECKAGE EXAM DSCLSD THAT THE ENGINE TORSIONAL COUPLING RUBBER MOUNTS HAD SEPARATED. THIS CONDITION CAUSED AN OVERSPEED WHICH ULTIMATELY SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:27 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN689SB
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWest Farm Air
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540 · Reciprocating · 305
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO