# NTSB ATL87FA147: Hiller UH-12D (H23), N6408, Spartanburg, SC, May 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1987, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Spartanburg, SC
- Coordinates: 34.949687, -82.08953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9497&lon=-82.0895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - engine assembly,other - undetermined (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - autorotation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT ABOVE THE TREETOPS, THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THEY HEARD A LOUD 'POP' OVER THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE. THE PLT TOLD HER THAT THEY WERE GOING DOWN AND SHE NOTICED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES BEGAN TO TURN SLOWER THAN USUAL BEFORE THE HELO COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THEN THE GROUND. A PROLONGED POST IMPACT GROUND FIRE CONSUMED THE WRECKAGE. THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE FUEL AND IGNITION SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE AND WAS UNABLE TO BE EVALUATED. ASSOCIATES OF THE PILOT STATED THAT HE USUALLY OPERATED AT APPROX 200 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6408](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6408-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 1366 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12D (H23) (UH-12D (H2)
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12d) (registry code 4360118) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1366
- Airframe hours: 6588
- Engines: LYCOMING O-435-23C-R 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Humphries
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1986, 47 hours before
- Departed: SPA, SPARTANBURG, SC
- Destination: DUNCAN, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,194 in this make and model, 1,587 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 10 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 19870524015509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870524015509A), May 24, 1987: Hiller UH12D, Spartanburg, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The helicopter lost power and struck trees during the forced landing. Cause of power failure could not be determined

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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