# NTSB ATL93LA065: Hiller UH12E, N4029Z, Greeleyville, SC, March 25, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1993, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Greeleyville, SC
- Coordinates: 33.570884, -79.979751 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5709&lon=-79.9798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA065

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF THE HELICOPTER'S ALTITUDE DURING THE LANDING FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A LANDING APPROACH WAS BEING MADE TO AN EMPTY FIELD ADJACENT TO THE PILOT'S HOUSE. THE APPROACH TO THE FIELD WAS OVER A LAKE. WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS FLARED FOR LANDING OVER THE LAKE, THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE LAKE SURFACE. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST & THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO THE LAKE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MISJUDGED HIS LANDING & APPROACH ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4029Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4029Z-2020-02-26), registration cancelled 2020-02-26, S/N 5143, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5143
- Engines: LYCOMING V0-540-C2A 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: H And M Aircraft Leasing
- Registered owner: H And M Aircraft Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,200 total, 65 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS, 40 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 19930325009289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930325009289A), Mar 25, 1993: Hiller UH12E, Greeleyville, SC, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck lake waters landing on shore of lake. Pilot misjudged approach. Landed in four feet of water.

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.