# NTSB DEN81DTG03: Hiller Acft UH-12E, N5343V, Watford City, ND, November 21, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 21, 1980
- Place: Watford City, ND · WATFORD CITY, ND
- Location: 47.8027° N, 103.2648° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watford City, ND, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8027&lon=-103.2648&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81DTG03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81DTG03-201169

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3351  80/11/21 NR.WATFORD CITY,ND    HILLER ACFT UH-12E  CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 31, 2127
        TIME - 1040                    N5343V              PX-  0  0  0  COMPANY FLIGHT            TOTAL HOURS, 10 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATFORD CITY,ND             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- SEISMIC EXPLORATION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5343V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5343V-2024-02-22), registration cancelled 2024-02-22, S/N 2016, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER ACFT 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
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19801121073349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801121073349A), Nov 21, 1980: Hiller UH12E, Watford City, ND, Substantial damage. Engine quit in hover due to fuel exhaustion. Made rough autorotation landing. Rolled over.

## Other investigations on N5343V (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 DEN66A0004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0004), Jul 7, 1965: Hiller UH-12E (N5343V), Meeteetse, WY, 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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