# NTSB ANC83LA172: Hiller-Soloy UH12E, N3324F, Cape Yakataga, AK, September 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1983, 09:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Cape Yakataga, AK
- Location: 60.0664° N, 142.4308° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cape Yakataga, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0664&lon=-142.4308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA172

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - erratic (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A BEACH AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PLT OWNER OF THE COMPANY VERIFIED THAT THE ACFT HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. THE OWNER HAD WARNED HIS PILOTS TO VISUALLY CHECK FUEL ON THE HELICOPTERS DUE TO UNRELIABLE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS. THE REPLACEMENT FUEL GUAGES HAD BEEN BACKORDERED FOR AN EXTENDEDTIME. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FOUND THE FUEL LINES TO BE DRY AND LESS THAN ONE GALLON OF FUEL IN THE MAIN TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3324F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3324F), registered now, S/N 1735, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hiller-Soloy UH12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-series) (registry code 03014, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1735
- Airframe hours: 3958
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 315 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leslie C. Soloy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1983, 44 hours before
- Departed: CAPE YAKATAGA, AK
- Destination: CDV, CORDOVA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,110 total, 844 in this make and model, 4,935 as pilot in command, 278 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830915049269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830915049269A), Sep 15, 1983: Hiller UH12E, Cape Yakataga, AK, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N3324F (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 NYC08LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA318), Sep 16, 2008: Hiller UH-12E (N3324F), Naruna, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure of a main rotor blade drag strut.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.