# NTSB ATL96LA076: Hiller UH12-E, N14MQ, Huger, SC, April 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 3, 1996, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC) - Place: Huger, SC - Coordinates: 33.090106, -79.800933 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0901&lon=-79.8009&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3719 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3719/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA076 ## Probable cause The blocked fuel vent line that resulted in engine stoppage. A factor was tall trees that intervened the helicopter's flight path. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis During helicopter operations using a long line to spray jellied fuel to conduct a controlled burn of trees, the engine quit. At the time, the helicopter was just above the tree tops about 75 feet above the ground. An autorotation was established toward the nearest clearing. The helicopter struck trees before reaching the clearing, resulting in a hard landing on the clearing's edge. The pilot said that the engine's quitting was consistent with fuel exhaustion, however, he had been flying 40 minutes with the 1.5 hour supply that was in the helicopter at the initial departure. Subsequently, the fuel tank vent was found to be clogged by dirt from an insect nest and insect parts. ## Factual narrative On April 3, 1996, about 1225 eastern standard time, a Hiller UH12-E, N14MQ, landed hard during an emergency descent near Huger, South Carolina. The helicopter was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the local aerial application flight. The commercial pilot was seriously injured, his observer received minor injuries, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight departed from a work site near Huger, about 1100. The pilot was performing controlled burning, using a long line, in the Francis Marion Forest. He reported that the engine lost power and an autorotative landing was attempted to a clear area. The pilot reported that the engine quit consistent with fuel exhaustion. He also reported that he had flown a total of about 40 minutes, and that the fuel tank contained 30 gallons of 100LL fuel prior to the initial departure. Additionally, he said the helicopter normally used 20 gallons per hour yielding about 1.5 hours of endurance. When the helicopter was moved from the accident site, it was noted that the fuel tank was ruptured, allowing fuel to leak from it. During further examination of the helicopter, the fuel tank vent was found clogged by fine, brownish dirt and insect parts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14MQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14MQ), registered now, S/N 1474, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hiller UH12-E - 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: 1474 - Airframe hours: 4158 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Haddock Flying Service, Inc - Registered owner: H & M Aircraft Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1995, 55 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,406 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 14,100 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CHS, 17 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 19960403005899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960403005899A), Apr 3, 1996: Hiller UH12E, Huger, SC, Substantial damage. Engaged in controlled burning by long line. Lost power. Autorotated. Low fuel and clogged fuel tank vent line. 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.