# NTSB FTW94LA125: Hiller UH-12, N41319, Alvin, TX, April 16, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 16, 1994, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Alvin, TX - Coordinates: 29.430665, -95.239089 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4307&lon=-95.2391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19032 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19032/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA125 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR SPEED, DELAY OF THE FLARE, AND THE IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN. A FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause) - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation ## Analysis DURING A CLIMB TO CRUISE THE ENGINE POWER FLUCTUATED AND MAIN ROTOR RPM DECAYED TO A LEVEL INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION FROM A LOW ALTITUDE TO THE ONLY AVAILABLE AREA. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN THE RIGHT SKID WAS DAMAGED AND THE TAIL BOOM WAS SEVERED. AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN; NO DISCREPANCIES WERE DISCOVERED. ## Factual narrative On April 16, 1994, at 1015 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12, N41319, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Alvin, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and a passenger were not injured. A second passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area business flight. In the enclosed pilot/operator report, the pilot reported that he completed all hover check items and departed to the northeast. He further reported that he had transitioned through effective translational lift and commenced a climb. He further reported that after clearing his initial obstacle the engine power fluctuated and the main rotor revolutions began to decay. In his statement he stated that he followed the required procedures in an attempt to build more rotor speed, without success. The pilot initiated a forced landing, from a low altitude, to an open area. An inspection of the aircraft revealed that the cross tube assembly and right skid sustained damage. Additional damage included the severing of the tail boom during a main rotor strike. An examination of the engine and drive train systems, by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector, failed to reveal any discrepancies that would result in a loss of engine power or main rotor speed. The aircraft was released to the owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41319](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41319), registered now, S/N 433 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12 - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12b) (registry code 4360110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6VS-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6vs-335-series) (registry code 27040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 433 - Engines: FRANKLIN 210 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Central Helicopter Services - Registered owner: Skinner, Joe - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,022 total, 35 in this make and model, 5,300 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 15 knots - Visibility: 11 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EFD, 10 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 19940416007929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940416007929A), Apr 16, 1994: Hiller UH12B, Alvin, TX, Substantial damage. Allowed rotor speed to decay on climbout. Landed hard. Rotors chopped tailboom. Skids damaged. ## Other investigations on N41319 (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 SEA86FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA139), Jun 8, 1986: Hiller UH12B (N41319), Rathdrum, ID, destroyed 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.