# Accident 20120919023599A: Hiller UH-12B, Blum, TX, September 19, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 19, 2012, 09:55 local time
- Place: Blum, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.2308° N, 97.3706° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2308&lon=-97.3706&mi=10
- Aircraft: N94735, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94735) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hiller UH-12B (registry code 4360110, https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Franklin 6A4200 series (registry code 27027, https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4200-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12B
- Reported engine: FRANKLIN 6A4200 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 250 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN12LA650](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA650) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120919023599A

## Narrative

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

ON SEPTEMBER 19 , 2012, AT APPROXIMATELY 0955 CST, A HILLER UH-12B HELICOPTER, N94735, EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE NEAR RIO VISTA, TX.  THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SURVEY FLIGHT  LOOKING AT CATTLE AND FENCES.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED, SO HE ELECTED TO AUTOROTATE TO A FIELD.  THE HELICOPTER MADE A HARD LANDING AND THE SKIDS WERE CAUGHT BY THE HIGH VEGETATION.  THE PILOT, SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  AN INITIAL EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THAT THE TAILROTOR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER AND THE MAIN ROTOR HAD CONTACTED THE TAILBOOM.FURTHER EXAMINATION CONDUCTED ON OCTOBER 5, 2012 BY AN A&P MECHANIC AND  OBSERVED BY AN FAA AIR WORTHINESS INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER SIX ENGINE PISTON SELF DESTRUCTED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL.

## 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 CEN12LA650](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA650), Sep 19, 2012: Hiller UH-12B (N94735), Rio Vista, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The catastrophic failure and disintegration of the No. 6 engine piston, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

## Other reports on N94735 (1)

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

- [Accident 19770926030119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770926030119A), Sep 26, 1977: Hiller UH12B (N94735), Carrollton, MI, Substantial damage. Wind gusting 20K.

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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