# NTSB ATL83FA261: Hiller UH-12B, N922TE, Huntsville, AL, July 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1983, 20:12 local (Jul 9, 1983, 01:12 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Location: 34.7304° N, 86.5861° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Huntsville, AL, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7304&lon=-86.5861&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA261

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED IN A FORCED AUTOROTATIVE LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT AT 1200 FT MSL IN CRUISE FLT. THE ACFTLANDED IN A MOWED WHEAT FIELD AND THE RIGHT SKID DUG INTO THE SOFT GROUND. THE PLT AND PASSENGERS DECLARED NO INJUREIS. THE PLT SAID THE RIDE IN THE BACK OF A PICK-UP TRUCK ACROSS THE ROUGH FIELD AFTER THE LANDING WAS MUCH WORSE THAN THE ACTUAL ACFT LANDING. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD 2 HOURS FUEL ON BOARD AND THE ENGINE QUIT AFTER 1 HOUR AND 36 MINUTES. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE INLET LINE TO THE CARBURETOR WAS OPENED. NO FUEL WAS NOTED.THE LINES TO THE BOOST BUMP WERE OPENED. NO FUEL WAS NOTED. THE OUTLET LINE FROM THE FUEL TANK WAS OPENED. NO FUEL WAS NOTED. THE GASCOLATOR CONTAINED 2 OUNCES OF FUEL. THE CAPACITY IS 4 TO 6 OUNCES. THE FUEL TANK DRAIN WAS OPENED AND ONE QUART OF FUEL WAS REMOVED. THE CARBURETOR WAS DRAINED AND 4 DROPS OF FUEL WERE RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N922TE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N922TE-2020-01-28), registration cancelled 2020-01-28, S/N 714 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12B
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12b) (registry code 4360110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 714
- Airframe hours: 2988
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4-335-5D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Helicopter Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 1983, 33 hours before
- Departed: DCV, DECATUR, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,975 total, 15 in this make and model, 4,929 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Observed at: MSL, 6 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 19830708034559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830708034559A), Jul 8, 1983: Hiller UH12B, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during autorotation after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N922TE (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 ATL88LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA030), Nov 7, 1987: Hiller UH-12B (N922TE), Newnan, GA, 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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