# NTSB FTW92LA044: Hiller-Osborn UH-12D, N67065, Rio Medina, TX, December 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1991, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Rio Medina, TX
- Coordinates: 29.499074, -98.849914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4991&lon=-98.8499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA044

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE DURING TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - separation
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - overload
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - cyclic - excessive, pilot in command

## Analysis

AN AIRPLANE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS PERFORMING A NORMAL LANDING APPROACH ON THE FIRST SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT IN A HELICOPTER. THE PILOT USED EXCESSIVE AFT CYCLIC DURING THE LANDING FLARE, RESULTING IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRIKING THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT AND TAILBOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67065](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67065), registered now, S/N 1023, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER-OSBORN UH-12D
- Registry model: [Hiller-Osborn UH-12D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-osborn-uh-12d) (registry code 4361501) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1023
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-AC 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Terrell M. Davis, doing business as T. M. Davis Construction
- Registered owner: Terrell M. Davis
- Airport: NONE, San Geronimo, runway 18, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 437 total, 18 in this make and model, 387 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19911202055689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911202055689A), Dec 2, 1991: Hiller UH12D, Rio Medina, TX, Substantial damage. On first helicopter solo used too much aft cylic,too slow for landing,causing main rotors to chop off tailboom.

## Other investigations on N67065 (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 FTW96LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA121), Feb 16, 1996: Hiller UH-12D (N67065), Carrizo Springs, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's improper 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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