FTW84LA226

NTSB accident investigation · Hiller UH-12E · Cedar Hill, TX · May 11, 1984

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report

Date: May 10, 1984, 21:15 local (May 11, 1984, 02:15 UTC)
Place: Cedar Hill, TX
Injuries: 1 minor
Damage: Destroyed
Phase of flight: Enroute
Aircraft: N46RJHiller UH-12E
Weather: Visual (VMC) · Night/bright
Status: Completed
Report: Approved by Office Director
Case key: 21328

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malfCruise - normal

Engine assembly - failure,totalFactor

Fluid,oil - exhaustion

Maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improperOther maintenance personnel

Maintenance,100-hour inspection - not followedOther maintenance personnelCause

ComplacencyOther maintenance personnelCause

Light condition - nightFactor

Forced landingDescent - emergency

Autorotation - performedPilot in command

In flight collision with objectDescent - emergency

Object - tree(s)

Object - residence

Loss of control - in flightDescent - emergency

Remedial action - not possiblePilot in command

In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

During the initial night flight after an oil change & annual inspection, the helicopter experienced a total power plant failure. An autorotation was performed & the helicopter struck a building prior to coming to rest. Inspection of the wreckage revealed engine failure was a result of oil starvation. Investigation revealed the oil system had been adequately serviced, however, the drain valve had not been closed & upon engine start and takeoff the oil was pumped overboard.

Aircraft

Registration: N46RJ
Reported as: Hiller UH-12E
Category: Helicopter
Serial number: 1528
Airframe hours: 2,848
Engine: Lycoming VO-540-9A, 305 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Destroyed
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Registered owner: Wayne B. Standefer
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: 100 hour · May 10, 1984 · 0 hours before
Departed: TA04 · Cedar Hill, TX
Destination: Mansfield, TX
Airport: TA04 · Cow Patch

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 35
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat: Center
Flight hours: 1,384 total · 23 in this make and model · 1,194 as pilot in command · 37 in the last 90 days · 9 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Night/bright
Wind: 180° at 15 knots
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 70 °F
Altimeter: 29.00 inHg