# NTSB ATL88LA232: Hiller UH-12A, N4828E, Paducah, KY, August 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1988, 16:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Paducah, KY
- Coordinates: 37.010532, -88.580215 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0105&lon=-88.5802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA232

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - disconnected (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE THE ENG QUIT & PIC MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN A WOODED AREA. INITIAL EXAM OF ENG REVEALED WATER IN THE CARB FLOAT BOWL. INVESTIGATION SHOWED HELO HAD 100 HR INSPECTION RECORDED IN THE LOG, BUT MAY HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO SERVICE BY MECHANIC WITHOUT INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION AS AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. HELO RECORDS WERE OBTAINED BY ONE OF THE MECHANICS FROM THE SAME REPAIR STATION, BUT NOT GIVEN TO FAA INSPECTOR & LATER LOST. LATER EXAM OF THE ENG SHOWED HOLES IN ACCESSORY CASE. PARTIAL TEARDOWN SHOWED THAT THE LEFT MAG DRIVE COUPLING NUT COTTER KEY WAS MISSING. IT IS BELIEVED THE COTTER KEY WAS NOT INSTALLED OR WAS DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION & BACKED OUT OF THE NUT ALLOWING THE NUT TO BACK OFF & THE DRIVE COUPLING TO DISCONNECT. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT. THE PLTS LOG BOOKS HAVE NOT BEEN LOCATED. THE ACFT ROLLED OVER AFTER LNDG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4828E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4828E-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 285, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12A
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12a) (registry code 4360104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-335-series) (registry code 27039, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 285
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335-B 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James F.Allen
- Registered owner: Cross, Doug A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 19, 1989
- Departed: KY29
- Destination: NEW BURNSIDE, IL
- Airport: KY29, Farrington Airpark, runway 4, 2,985 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 344 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAH, 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 19880820034309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880820034309A), Aug 20, 1988: Hiller UH12A, Paducah, KY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Autorotated into trees. Found 50 percent water in fuel. Engine accessory case damaged.

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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