# NTSB CHI98LA012: Hiller UH-12E, N4027L, Liberty, NE, October 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 9, 1997, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Liberty, NE - Coordinates: 40.079479, -96.480911 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0795&lon=-96.4809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10763 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10763/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA012 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Roll over, landing - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported, 'the aircraft was preflighted, started, and warmed up with temperatures and pressures gauges in the green.' Following the engine warm-up the pilot began a hover, cleared the area, and proceeded to takeoff. The pilot indicated in his report that, 'approximately around 150 feet the engine stopped producing power.' The pilot stated that he, 'was approximately between 30 and 50 mph, tried to quick-stop, was too low and did not have enough altitude to autorotate the aircraft.' The pilot proceeded to execute a run-on landing, which resulted in the aircraft sliding 40 feet after contact with the ground. The pilot reported that the aircraft, 'came to a terrace and very slowly rolled onto its side.' Examination of the aircraft did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On October 9, 1997, at 1700 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N4027L, received substantial damage after impacting terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power on initial climb out. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed from a private airstrip in Liberty, Nebraska, at 1655. In a written statement, the pilot reported, "the aircraft was preflighted, started, and warmed up with temperatures and pressures in the green." Following the engine warm-up the pilot began a hover, cleared the area, and proceeded to takeoff. The pilot indicated in his report that, "approximately around 150 feet the engine stopped producing power." The pilot stated that he, "was approximately between 30 and 50 mph, tried to quick-stop, was too low and did not have enough altitude to autorotate the aircraft." The pilot proceeded to execute a run-on landing, which resulted in the aircraft sliding 40 feet after contact with the ground. The pilot reported that the aircraft, "came to a terrace and very slowly rolled onto its side." A post accident investigation, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration, disclosed no discrepancies in the fuel system, engine control system, valve train, and accessory section. A fuel sample was taken, which showed proper color (blue) and lacking contaminating material. The carburetor, fuel pump, and magnetos were removed for operational tests. Functional tests of the removed components established proper operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4027L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4027L-2002-06-17), registration cancelled 2002-06-17, S/N 5074, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hiller UH-12E - 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: 5074 - Airframe hours: 2638 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540-C2A 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles I. Thomas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Airport: PVT, Thomas Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 21,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BIE, 15 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 19971009031219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971009031219A), Oct 9, 1997: Hiller UH12E, Liberty, NE, Substantial damage. 1979 Heller UH-125 heli took off and lost eng power at 150 ft, unable to rotate the acft and crashed, Liberty,NE (.4)the pilot reported, 'the aircraft was… ## Other investigations on N4027L (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 LAX83LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA236), May 18, 1983: Hiller UH-12E (N4027L), Thermal, CA, 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. --- 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.