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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 20, 2000 · Hiller UH-12ET · N9762C

Stonesboro, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Stonesboro, SC
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12ET
Tail Number
N9762C
Operator
Henry Haddock
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL00LA043

The pilot had completed two spray runs and was on the third operation when he experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot explained that, the truck used to support the spraying operation had been driven into a ditch and he was distracted by the truck driver's problem, and neglected to refuel the helicopter. Moments later, the engine lost power after the helicopter ran out of fuel. The pilot selected an area for a forced landing. During the final approach to touchdown, the tail rotor assembly collided with a tree. The subsequent examination of the helicopter disclosed that there was only a trace of fuel in the fuel tanks. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the helicopter before the total loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper inflight decision not to refuel which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On April 20, 2000, at 0900 eastern daylight time, a Hiller UH-12 helicopter, collided with trees while attempting an autorotation near Stonesboro, South Carolina. The aerial application flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight initially departed the staging area in Stonesboro, South Carolina, at approximately 0830. The pilot reported that he had completed two spray runs and was on the third operation when he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot explained that, the truck used to support the spraying operation had been driven into a ditch and he was distracted by the truck driver's problem, and neglected to refuel the helicopter. Moments later, the engine loss power after the helicopter "ran out of fuel". The pilot selected an area for a forced landing. The pilot reported that, he entered an autorotative descent for the forced landing. During the final approach to the touchdown point, the tail rotor assembly collided with a tree. The subsequent examination of the helicopter disclosed that there was only a trace of fuel in the fuel tanks. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the helicopter before the total loss of engine power. No mechanical malfunction or component failure with the helicopter was discovered during the post-accident examination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHiller UH-12ET
Tail NumberN9762C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHenry Haddock
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · C-250-20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 57
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time14:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data