# NTSB ATL00LA043: Hiller UH-12ET, N9762C, Stonesboro, SC, April 20, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 20, 2000, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Stonesboro, SC - Coordinates: 33.938888, -81.119445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9389&lon=-81.1194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: South Carolina FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 49013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49013/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA043 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper inflight decision not to refuel which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9762C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9762C), registered now, S/N 2159, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hiller UH-12ET - 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: 2159 - Airframe hours: 8500 - Engines: Allison C-250-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Henry Haddock - Registered owner: H&M Aircraft Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Stonesboro, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 20, 1999; seat: center; flight hours: 17,500 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 16,900 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: CAE, 20 nm away ## 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 20000420023539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000420023539A), Apr 20, 2000: Hiller UH12E, Stonesboro, SC, Substantial damage. (-4) On April 20, 2000, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Hiller UH-12 helicopter, collided with trees while attempting an autorotation near Stonesboro, south… ## Other investigations on N9762C (3) 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 SEA90LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA025), Nov 29, 1989: Hiller UH-12E (N9762C), Raymond, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE IMPELLER. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF A ROLL-OVER ON UNEVEN TERRAIN. - [NTSB ANC78FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78FA057), Jul 23, 1978: Hiller UH12E3 (N9762C), Livengood, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC67A0006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC67A0006), Jul 15, 1966: Hiller UH12E4 (N9762C), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage 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.