# NTSB FTW85LA135: Hiller UH-12D, N26EW, Big Spring, TX, March 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1985, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Spring, TX
- Location: 32.2383° N, 101.4857° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Spring, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2383&lon=-101.4857&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA135

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - intentional, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - run on landing - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

CFI WAS DEMONSTRATING A SIMULATED ENG FAILURE WITH TAILWIND OF 10 KTS, 20 KTS GRND SPEED. THE ACFT YAWED LEFT AND TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE WITH 10 KT GRND SPEED. THE RIGHT SKID BROKE OFF AND THE ACFT ROLLED OVER. THE MANEUVER WAS INITIATED AT 4 FT SKID HEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26EW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26EW-2012-06-04), registration cancelled 2012-06-04, S/N 1105, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12D
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12d) (registry code 4360118) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1105
- Airframe hours: 9240
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1C 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Massengill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1984, 3 hours before
- Departed: BIG SPRING, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,248 total, 68 in this make and model, 3,597 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19850302005559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850302005559A), Mar 2, 1985: Hiller UH12D, Big Springs, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft rolled over during downwind run on autorotative landing demonstration. Right skid broke on touchdown.

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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