# NTSB ERA10CA262: Hiller UH12, N116S, Sarasota, FL, May 9, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 9, 2010, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Sarasota, FL - Coordinates: 27.318889, -82.433891 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3189&lon=-82.4339&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75989 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA262 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75989/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75989 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA262 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed remedial action to maintain main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of lift and hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=4360104), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=4360104), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=4360104), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the helicopter stated that while in cruise flight, he let his rotor rpm decay due to inattention and "complacency." He decided he could not recover the rotor rpm "quickly enough" and performed an autorotation to a pasture. The pilot leveled the helicopter about 8 feet above the ground where it "lost lift [and] dropped straight down." At ground contact, the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner of the helicopter stated that while in cruise flight, he let his rotor rpm decay due to inattention and "complacency." He decided he could not recover the rotor rpm "quickly enough" and performed an autorotation to a pasture. The pilot leveled the helicopter about 8 feet above the ground where it "lost lift [and] dropped straight down." At ground contact, the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N116S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N116S-2017-02-22), registration cancelled 2017-02-22, S/N 278 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HILLER UH12 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12a) (registry code 4360104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 278 - Airframe hours: 1031.1 - Engines: Franklin 6V335B 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Helicopter Service by Randy, LLC - Registered owner: Helicopter Service by Randy, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 2009 - Departed: FA22, Sarasota, FL - Destination: FA22, Sarasota, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 758 total, 748 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: SRQ, 12 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 20100509033889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100509033889A), May 9, 2010: Hiller UH-12A, Sarasota, FL, Substantial damage. On may 09, 2010, at 1900 eastern time, a Hiller UH-12A, aircraft, registration N116S, experienced the loss operational control during cruise flight near… ## Other investigations on N116S (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 NYC82DA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA087), May 2, 1982: Hiller UH-12A (N116S), New Paltz, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75989. 343 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 343 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331052&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.