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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 7, 1986 · Hiller UH-12E · N62421

Lodi, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lodi, CA
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N62421
Operator
Alpine Helicopter Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA113

WHILE ON AN AERIAL AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING FLIGHT THE ACFT ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. THE PLT EXECUTED AN IMMEDIATE AUTOROTATION LANDING. UPON GROUND CONTACT, THE ACFT SKID FOR ABOUT 8 FT UNTIL THE FRONT SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND FURROW AND NOSED OVER CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE TO CONTACT THE GROUND AND TAIL BOOM ASSEMBLY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 10 - 12 GALLONS ABOARD FOR THE 5 MINUTE FLIGHT AND THAT HE BELIEVED THE FUEL PUMP BYPASS VALVE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE FUEL TO BE 'DUMPED OVERBOARD' VIA THE SYSTEM DRAIN VALVE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT CONTAINED LESS THAN 1/2 PT OF FUEL. THE ENGINE WAS FUNCTIONALLY TESTED AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY.

Full Narrative

WHILE ON AN AERIAL AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING FLIGHT THE ACFT ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. THE PLT EXECUTED AN IMMEDIATE AUTOROTATION LANDING. UPON GROUND CONTACT, THE ACFT SKID FOR ABOUT 8 FT UNTIL THE FRONT SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND FURROW AND NOSED OVER CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE TO CONTACT THE GROUND AND TAIL BOOM ASSEMBLY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 10 - 12 GALLONS ABOARD FOR THE 5 MINUTE FLIGHT AND THAT HE BELIEVED THE FUEL PUMP BYPASS VALVE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE FUEL TO BE 'DUMPED OVERBOARD' VIA THE SYSTEM DRAIN VALVE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT CONTAINED LESS THAN 1/2 PT OF FUEL. THE ENGINE WAS FUNCTIONALLY TESTED AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN62421
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlpine Helicopter Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-C2A · Reciprocating · 305
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind135° @ 3 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data