# NTSB CHI98LA312: Hiller UH-12E, N88782, Shelton, NE, August 14, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 1998, 10:26 local (15:26 UTC) - Place: Shelton, NE - Coordinates: 40.769729, -98.729423 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7697&lon=-98.7294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43754/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA312 ## Probable cause The pilot mismanaged the fuel which led to fuel starvation and subsequent 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 - fuel system - starvation (cause) - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - aerial application - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power while maneuvering during agricultural spraying. The aircraft impacted terrain during a forced landing. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector showed the engine to rotate and to have compression in all cylinders. Electrical continuity was established from the magnetos and through the harness. There was no fuel found in the fuel line connecting the fuel tank to the engine driven pump. The engine driven and electric fuel pumps rotated and were then disassembled but damage was found on the impeller of the fuel pumps. The carburetor bowls contained 1/3 fuel. Approximately three gallons of fuel was drained from the helicopter fuel tank with no external leakage visually present. The fuel tank port is located at the forward end of the fuel tank. The Hiller UH-12E Flight Manual states, 'Operating with fuel indicator in the yellow arc during sideward or rearward flight may result in loss of power'. The yellow arc indicates a fuel range from 0 to 2.9 gallons, 0 to 11 liters, 0-17 lbs. of fuel. The Hiller UH-12E Flight Manual Supplement states, 'Consideration should be given to hoisting loads off the ground vertically as pulling or dragging loads off in other than a vertical direction can cause the helicopter to exceed the certified normal flight body-angle and unusable fuel envelope'. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 1998, at 1026 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N88782, operated by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing near Shelton, Nebraska. The aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power while maneuvering during agricultural spraying. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 local flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated at a field located approximately four miles northwest of Shelton, Nebraska. The pilot reported that he had arrived at the field to be sprayed with his helicopter loaded on a truck at approximately 1015. The helicopter was loaded with chemicals and departed with 20 gallons of fuel. Three chemical dispensing passes were performed prior to initiating another "ag" turn at the edge of the field. During the "ag" turn, the engine sputtered in the stall point of the turn and then quit. The aircraft was in a 45 degree banked turn when the pilot turned the helicopter into the wind. With an airspeed of 0 knots, an altitude of 25'-50' agl and the helicopter in a descent, the pilot nosed the aircraft over in an attempt to increase airspeed. The pilot realized that he was not going to achieve enough airspeed to execute a normal auto rotation so he leveled the helicopter through the application of collective pitch to cushion the impact. The pilot recalled the left skid impacting first. An employee of the pilot stated that he had found that the electrical fuel pump was running after the accident. He also reported that all normal switches were in their correct positions according to how the pilot always selected them. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector showed the engine to rotate and to have compression in all cylinders. Electrical continuity was established from the magnetos and through the harness. There was no fuel found in the fuel line connecting the fuel tank to the engine driven pump. The engine driven and electric fuel pumps rotated and were then disassembled but no damage was found on the impeller of the fuel pumps. The carburetor bowls contained 1/3 fuel. Approximately three gallons of fuel was drained from the helicopter fuel tank with no external leakage visually present. The fuel tank port is located at the forward end of the fuel tank. The Hiller UH-12E Flight Manual states, "Operating with fuel indicator in the yellow arc during sideward or rearward flight may result in loss of power". The yellow arc indicates a fuel range from 0 to 2.9 gallons, 0 to 11 liters, 0-17 lbs of fuel. The Hiller UH-12E Flight Manual Supplement states, "Consideration should be given to hoisting loads off the ground vertically as pulling or dragging loads off in other than a vertical direction can cause the helicopter to exceed the certified normal flight body-angle and unusable fuel envelope". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88782](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88782), registered now, S/N 1734, built 1965 (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 41582, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1734 - Airframe hours: 6232 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540-C 305 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Central States Helicopter - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 11, 1998, 7 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,030 total, 581 in this make and model, 7,923 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GRI, 25 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 19980814038099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980814038099A), Aug 14, 1998: Hiller UH12E, Shelton, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) After making a pass while spraying a crop, the engine hesitated, a few seconds later while attempting to turn, the engine quit running. Altitude was… 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.