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NTSB Report
October 16, 1989 · Hiller 12E · N4026G
Huron, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Huron, CA
Aircraft
Hiller 12E
Tail Number
N4026G
Operator
Healy Joseph G
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90DVA01
THE PILOT COMPLETED AN AERIAL SPRAYING FLIGHT, LANDED AND PICKED UP HIS FLAGMAN TO TRANSPORT HIM TO ANOTHER FIELD. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE FIELD AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. DURING THE ENSUING AUTOROTATION THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE ALTITUDE AND SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NO. 3 CONNECTING ROD FAILED DUE TO OIL STARVATION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT THE AIRPLANE BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT AND MISJUDGED THE FLARE DURING THE ENSUING AUTOROTATION. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE OIL STARVATION AND TOTAL FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT COMPLETED AN AERIAL SPRAYING FLIGHT, LANDED AND PICKED UP HIS FLAGMAN TO TRANSPORT HIM TO ANOTHER FIELD. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE FIELD AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. DURING THE ENSUING AUTOROTATION THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE ALTITUDE AND SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NO. 3 CONNECTING ROD FAILED DUE TO OIL STARVATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller 12E
Tail NumberN4026G
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHealy Joseph G
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-C2A · Reciprocating · 305
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind200° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time10:52
Weather SourceWFAC