# Accident 20250406004109A: Hiller H-23D, Rockledge, FL, April 6, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 6, 2025, 11:50 local time
- Place: Rockledge, FL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.3372° N, 80.7336° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3372&lon=-80.7336&mi=10
- Aircraft: N48263, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48263) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hiller H-23D (registry code 4360120, https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-h-23d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435 series (registry code 41525, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER H-23D
- Reported engine: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,817 total, 82 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA25LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA167) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250406004109A

## Narrative

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

THE ROTORCRAFT HAD DEPARTED FROM MERRITT ISLAND AIRPORT (KCOI) ENROUTE TO THE ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ IN LAKELAND, FL. APPROXIMATELY 2.6 MILES WEST OF RUNWAY 29 AT KCOI, THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS, CAUSING IT TO DESCEND VERTICALLY IN A SPINNING MOTION FROM APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET AGL, IMPACTING THE GROUND AND OVERTURNING ONTO ITS STARBOARD SIDE IN AN UNOCCUPIED LOCAL BASEBALL FIELD OVER HOME PLATE.

THE INITIAL INSPECTION FOUND THE AIRCRAFT ON ITS SIDE, WITH FUEL PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANKS. DUE TO DAMAGE, FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY CHECKS COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THE TAIL ROTOR HAD STRUCK THE TALL FENCE BEHIND HOME PLATE UPON ENTRY TO THE FIELD, RESULTING IN THE SEPARATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR, TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX, AND TAIL BOOM STRUCTURE. ALL COMPONENTS OF THE TAIL ROTOR POWERTRAIN AND ROTOR SYSTEM WERE LOCATED MOSTLY WITHIN 20 FEET OF THE HELICOPTER. THE GENERAL AIRCRAFT INSPECTION REVEALED, NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS WERE FOUND TO EXPLAIN THE POWER LOSS. AIRCRAFT REQUIRES FURTHER INSPECTION TO DETERMINE CAUSE WHICH THE NTSB WILL PERFORM.

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE AIRLIFTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. THE PILOT SUSTAINED HEAD AND CHEST LACERATIONS AND SPINAL INJURIES. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED MINOR LACERATIONS AND A DEEP LACERATION ON HER OUTER UPPER THIGH, FOR WHICH SHE UNDERWENT SURGERY.

## 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 ERA25LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA167), Apr 6, 2025: Hiller UH12E (N48263), Rockledge, FL, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

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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