# NTSB ATL82DA227: Hiller UH12D, N79SW, Dothan, AL, August 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1982, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Dothan, AL
- Location: 31.2232° N, 85.3905° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dothan, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2232&lon=-85.3905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70495/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA227

## 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
  - fuel system,drain - open (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT CALCULATED HIS FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT AND DETERMINED IT ADEQUATE FOR THE FLIGHT. HE DRAINED THE FUEL SUMP WHILE THE CREW WAS LOADING FUNGICIDE AT THE LOADING AREA. AFTER THE SPRAYING WAS COMPLETED, THE PILOT STARTED HIS RETURN FLIGHT AND WHEN OVER A SWAMPY STAND OF TREES THE ENGINE QUIT. HE AUTOROTATED TO A FORCED LANDING INTO THE TREES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL DRAIN VALVE WAS OPEN AND THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED SLIGHTLY OVER A GALLON OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79SW-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 1136 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12D
- Registry model: [Hiller H-23D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-h-23d) (registry code 4360120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1136
- Airframe hours: 9418
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1C 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: James A. Granquist/Bay Helicop
- Registered owner: Aaa Helicopter Svc. Inc.
- Departed: DOTHAN, AL
- Destination: DOTHAN, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,750 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,455 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 198 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820802034529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820802034529A), Aug 2, 1982: Hiller UH12D, Dothan, AL, Substantial damage. Crash occurred after engine quit due to fuel exhaustion returning from spraying operation.

## Other investigations on N79SW (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 MKC76FCD47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCD47), Jun 6, 1976: Hiller Acft UH-12D (N79SW), Dallas Center, IA, destroyed
- [NTSB MKC76FCD13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCD13), Sep 11, 1975: Hiller Acft H-23D (N79SW), Lakewood, IA, destroyed
- [NTSB MKC75FCD46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCD46), Jun 16, 1975: Hiller Acft H-23D (N79SW), Nevada, IA, 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.

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