# NTSB ATL94LA144: Hiller UH-12E, N4030S, Hephzibah, GA, July 24, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1994, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Hephzibah, GA
- Coordinates: 33.280075, -82.100746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2801&lon=-82.1007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA144

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT, RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND HIS IMPROPER FLARE OF THE HELICOPTER DURING THE AUTOROTATION, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL AG PILOT WAS ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO HIS FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND QUIT. DURING THE AUTOROTATION, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD, AND THE TAIL BOOM CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE BEGAN THE FLIGHT WITH ABOUT 10 GALLONS OF FUEL, WHICH HE MEASURED WITH A DIP STICK THAT HE CARRIED IN THE COCKPIT. HE STATED THAT THE EXPECTED FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS ABOUT 15 GALLONS PER HOUR. THE FUEL SYSTEM SURVIVED THE ACCIDENT INTACT. FAA INSPECTORS FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE TANK OR IN THE LINES. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY.

## Factual narrative

On July 24, 1994, at 1300 eastern daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N4030S, was substantially damaged following an engine power loss and autorotation in Hephzibah, Georgia. The commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated under 14 CFR Part 137 by Custom Air Brewton, Inc. of Brewton, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the aerial application flight. The flight originated in Wrens, Georgia at 1255.

The pilot reported that he had completed spraying operations at one site, and was in transit to another field (an estimated 6 to 8 minute flight). He estimated his fuel on board to be about 10 gallons. He used a dip stick that he carried in the cockpit to gauge the fuel quantity. He also reported that the normal fuel consumption was about 15 gallons per hour. During low altitude cruise, about 5 minutes into the flight, the engine lost power and quit. An autorotation was attempted. The helicopter landed hard, and the tail rotor contacted the ground.

Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration visited the accident site and inspected the helicopter. They reported that the aircraft fuel system was not damaged, and that there was no evidence of fuel in the tank or in any fuel line. The fuel quantity gauge indicated empty.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4030S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: HA-3082
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Custom Air Brewton, Inc.
- Registered owner: Custom Air Brewton, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1994
- Departed: NONE, WRENS, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,450 total, 725 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS, 8 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 19940724019109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940724019109A), Jul 24, 1994: Hiller UH12E, Hepzibah, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power after departure. Landed hard. Tailboom hit ground. Had run out of fuel.

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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