# NTSB CHI92DCD09: Hiller Hiller UH-12E, N527HA, Dows, IA, August 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1992, 19:30 local (Aug 21, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Dows, IA
- Coordinates: 42.649826, -93.500961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6498&lon=-93.5010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCD09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCD09

## Probable cause

CONTAMINATED FUEL RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER REPORTED AN ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE HE WAS PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS.  THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A DITCH DURING THE FORCED LANDING.  POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED CONTAMINATED FUEL IN THE HELICOPTER FUEL SYSTEM AND IN THE FUEL TANK USED TO SERVICE THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N527HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N527HA-2001-10-10), registration cancelled 2001-10-10, S/N 5027, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER HILLER UH-12E (HILLER UH-)
- 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
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Bonanza Valley Aviation
- Registered owner: Bonanza Valley Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,050 total, 600 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920820032589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920820032589A), Aug 20, 1992: Hiller UH12E, Dows, IA, Substantial damage. Lost power on spray run. Crashed into drainage ditch. Suspect fuel problem.

## Other investigations on N527HA (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 MIA79FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA095), Jan 29, 1979: Hiller UH-12E (N527HA), Homestead, FL, destroyed

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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