# NTSB BFO90LA041: Hiller UH-12ET, N4034Z, Brookneal, VA, May 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1990, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Brookneal, VA
- Coordinates: 37.050712, -78.940216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0507&lon=-78.9402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA041

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. PILOT FATIGUE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - refueling - inadequate
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, THE HELICOPTER WAS AUTOROTATED INTO A WOODED AREA, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT STATED THAT LACK OF SUFFICIENT REST CONTRIBUTED TO FAILING TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE FUEL TANK COULD NOT BE COMPLETELY REFUELED BECAUSE THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED ON A SLOPE DURING REFUELING. HE ALSO STATED THAT FATIGUE MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO HIS DECISION TO TRY TO MAKE IT TO THE AIRPORT EVEN THOUGH HE KNEW HE WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4034Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4034Z-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 5196 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12ET
- Registry model: [Hiller-Rogerson Helicopter UH12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-rogerson-helicopter-uh12e) (registry code 4361101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5196
- Airframe hours: 2824
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 305 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Summit Helicopters, Inc
- Registered owner: Summit Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 22, 1990, 89 hours before
- Departed: MT LAUREL, VA
- Destination: OV4, BROOKNEAL, VA
- Airport: OV4, Brookneal/Campbell County, runway 24, 3,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,245 total, 2,174 in this make and model, 5,825 as pilot in command, 118 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH, 1 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 19900501013189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900501013189A), May 1, 1990: Hiller UH12E, Brookneal, VA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel while circling to find spray area limits. Autorotated into trees. Forestry spray operation.

## Other investigations on N4034Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB ERA11CA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA059), Nov 15, 2010: Hiller-Rogerson Helicopter UH12E (N4034Z), Madison, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's encounter with a settling with power condition while he was performing slow, low-level, out-of- ground-effect flight maneuvers.

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.