# Accident 19960723019609A: Hiller UH12E, Mt Holly, AR, July 23, 1996

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 23, 1996, 19:13 local time
- Place: Mt Holly, AR
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 33.3096° N, 92.9403° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3096&lon=-92.9403&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9743C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9743C-2013-07-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hiller UH-12E (registry code 4360122, https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-540 series (registry code 41534, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12E
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C20B
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 8,403 total, 3,000 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW96LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA315) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960723019609A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23)ON JULY 23, 1996, AT 1913 (LCL), A HILLER UH12E, N9743C, OPERATED BY SUMMIT HELICOPTERS, INC., CLOVERDAEL, VA, A COMMERICAL AGRICULTURAL OPERATOR, CONTACTED TREES DURING A SPRAYING OPERATION. AIRCRAFT ROLLED AND IMPACTED TERRAIN IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA NEAR MOUNT HOLLY, AR.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.  INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS.                                     (.4) THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT PUT 20 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE HELICOPTER THE DAY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER WAS ON ITS SEVENTH LOAD WHEN IT CRASHED, AND IT HAD NOT BEEN REFUELED. THE FUEL TANK HOLDS 46 GALLONS OF FUEL AND THE ENGINE USES APPROXIMATELY '28 GALLONS PER HOUR DURING SOME AG OPERATION MANEUVERS.' EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AND HELICOPTER REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW96LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA315), Jul 24, 1996: Hiller UH-12E (N9743C), Mount Holly, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

## Other reports on N9743C (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19730711023729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730711023729A), Jul 11, 1973: Hiller UH12E (N9743C), Bettles, AK, Substantial damage. Attempted ldg on mtn ridge,wind gusting to 30K. Geological studies.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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