# NTSB CHI84LA340: Hiller 12E, N67115, Big Lake, MN, August 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1984, 19:30 local (Aug 7, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Lake, MN
- Coordinates: 45.33052, -93.73986 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3305&lon=-93.7399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA340
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA340

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - power on landing - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF AND ROLLED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE 'SUCKED UP ACCUMULATED WATER INTO THE GAS LINE.' HE LATER SAID WATER WAS FOUND IN THE REFUELING TRUCK. HIS RECOMMENDATION: 'KEEP WATER OUT OF GAS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N67115 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER 12E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1151
- Airframe hours: 9000
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-BIA 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 137
- Operator: Thomas G. Pfeffer
- Registered owner: Thomas Pfeffer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1984

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 15,680 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 129 in the last 90 days, 131 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots, gusting 4
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19840806038499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840806038499A), Aug 6, 1984: Hiller UH12D, Big Lake, MN, Destroyed. Engine quit as helicopter was making vertical takeoff. Aircraft rolled on right side as it crashed.

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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