# NTSB DFW05CA208: Hiller UH-12E, N535HA, Hampton, AR, August 10, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2005, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Hampton, AR - Coordinates: 33.548053, -92.523612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5481&lon=-92.5236&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Little Rock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62194 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62194/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA208 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was unsuitable terrain to complete a successful autorotation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The engine of the helicopter lost power during an aerial application flight. According to a GPS (Global Positioning System) log of the helicopter's flight provided by the operator, the helicopter was refueled with 35 gallons at 1002. The pilot in a written record of a telephonic interview provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated: "The fuel gauges are not real reliable so they pump a known quantity and go by time. There are no low fuel lights on the aircraft." Prior to the fourth flight with a load of chemicals, approximately 1110, the pilot was asked if he wanted additional fuel. He said no, and he had enough to deliver another load of chemicals. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel tank did not have any fuel remaining and there was no evidence of impact damage to the fuel tank. No fuel was recovered from any fuel lines. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2005, at 1117 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E agricultural helicopter, N535HA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Hampton, Arkansas. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Summit Helicopters, Inc., Cloverdale, Virginia. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a field heliport near Hampton, Arkansas, at 0837. According to a GPS (Global Positioning System) log of the helicopter's flight provided by the operator, the helicopter was refueled with 35 gallons at 1002. The pilot in a written record of a telephonic interview provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated: "The fuel gauges are not real reliable so they pump a known quantity and go by time. There are no low fuel lights on the aircraft." On the fourth flight to load chemicals at approximately 1110, the pilot was asked if he wanted additional fuel. The pilot replied in a negative way and said that he had enough fuel to spray an additional load. Examination of the helicopter by an FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, confirmed substantial damage. The helicopter came to rest on it's left side, facing to the north. The main rotor system separated from the rotor mast and one main rotor blade was broken in half. The tail boom and tail rotor assembly also separated from the main fuselage. The fuel tank and fuel lines were all intact and checked for evidence of fuel. There was no evidence of fuel spillage nor fuel in the tank or fuel lines to the fuel control unit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N535HA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N535HA), registered now, S/N 5035, built 1977 (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: [Allison 250 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-series) (registry code 03014, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 5035 - Airframe hours: 9900 - Engines: Allison 250-C205 300 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Summit Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: Summit Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2005, 88.2 hours before - Departed: Hampton, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20050810018569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050810018569A), Aug 10, 2005: Hiller UH12E, Hampton, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 10, 2005, at approximately 1110 central standard time, a UH-12-E Hiller single engine helicopter, registration number N535HA operated by summit… 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.