# NTSB FTW88DRA05: Hiller UH-12E, N4029D, La Salle, TX, April 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1988, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: La Salle, TX
- Coordinates: 28.760526, -96.620414 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7605&lon=-96.6204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRA05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRA05

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - refueling - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed
  - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY AUTOROTATION FOLLOWING AN ENGINE FAILURE WHILE THE ACFT WAS COMPLETING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. ACFT TOUCHED DOWN TAIL LOW AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWN AND CUT OFF THE TAIL BOOM. INVESTIGATION REVEALED WATER IN THE CARB BOWL, THE ACFT FUEL TANK AND THE REFUELING VEHICLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4029D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4029D-2018-03-02), registration cancelled 2018-03-02, S/N 5098, built 1979 (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: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5098
- Airframe hours: 1560
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C-2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Glenn Bud Herring
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1987, 48 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 25,400 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880404007519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880404007519A), Apr 4, 1988: Hiller UH12E, La Salle, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on a spray run. Attempted to autorotate. Hit and severed tail boom on ground contact. Fuel contaminated

## Other investigations on N4029D (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 FTW92LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA007), Oct 11, 1991: Hiller UH-12E (N4029D), Palacios, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.

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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