# NTSB CHI91LA245: Hiller 1345, N57972, Michigan City, IN, August 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1991, 14:29 local (19:29 UTC)
- Place: Michigan City, IN
- Coordinates: 41.710098, -86.869621 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7101&lon=-86.8696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA245

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE THE PILOT'S DELAY IN REFUELING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE PRESSURE INDUCED BY OTHERS (PASSENGER), AND THE ABSENCE OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by others, passenger (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE RETURNING FROM A FLIGHT FILMING SESSION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  AN EMERGENCY DESCENT WAS ATTEMPTED SHORT OF THE AIRPORT.  THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LOSS OF POWER WAS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57972](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57972-2012-06-21), registration cancelled 2012-06-21, S/N 1345, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hiller 1345
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1345
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Allan J. Endries
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MGC, MICHIGAN CITY, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 750 total, 20 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Observed at: GYY, 20 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 19910803031519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910803031519A), Aug 3, 1991: Hiller UH12E, Michigan City, IN, Substantial damage. Filming boat races. Low on fuel,delayed return for more filming. Ran out of fuel returing. Autorotated into trees.

## Other investigations on N57972 (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 DEN81FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA009), Nov 5, 1980: Hiller Acft 12E (N57972), Blanding, UT, substantial damage

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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