# NTSB FTW94LA144: Hiller UH-12E, N90469, Osage, AR, May 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 4, 1994, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Osage, AR - Coordinates: 36.29079, -93.290176 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2908&lon=-93.2902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19047 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19047/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA144 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - terrain condition - none suitable (cause) ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE HELICOPTER WAS SERVICED WITH 30 GALLONS OF FUEL FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT TO DISPENSE 100 GALLONS OF PESTICIDES. AFTER A 45 MINUTE SORTIE, THE HELICOPTER WAS EN ROUTE BACK TO THE LOADING SITE, OVER HEAVILY WOODED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, WHEN THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE ENGINE REGAINED POWER TEMPORARILY, AND LOST POWER FOR A SECOND TIME 5 TO 8 SECONDS LATER. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED ABOVE THE TREE TOPS AND SETTLED THROUGH THE TREES COMING TO REST IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL SPILL AND NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL CELL. THE AVERAGE FUEL BURN RATE IS 25 TO 26 GALLONS PER HOUR. THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RUN IN AN ENGINE TEST CELL. ## Factual narrative On May 4, 1994, at 1830 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N90469, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power near Osage, Arkansas. The airline transport rated pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. According to the operator, the turbine powered helicopter was supporting a gypsy moth eradication program within the Ozark National Forest. The pilot stated that the helicopter was serviced with 100 gallons pesticides and 30 gallons of Jet A fuel for the ninth sortie of the day. Approximately 45 minutes later, while en route back to the load site, the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he entered autorotation, and the engine auto reignite restarted the engine. The pilot added that he turned towards an open field to make a precautionary landing, and approximately 5 to 8 seconds later, the engine lost power for the second time. The pilot reentered an autorotation to the heavily wooded area ahead and was able stop all forward motion above the tree tops, settling through the trees. After falling 40 to 50 feet, the helicopter came to rest in the upright position lodged between the tree trunks. According to the operator, the fuel cell and the fuel lines were not compromised during the crash sequence. No fuel was found in the fuel cell, and there was no evidence of a fuel spill on the ground. According to the engine manufacturer, the average fuel burn rate is 25 to 26 gallons per hour. A successful engine run was accomplished in a test cell, and no anomalies were found with either the fuel control or associated fuel system components. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90469](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90469-2000-03-07), registration cancelled 2000-03-07, S/N 2358 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2358 - Airframe hours: 5989 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Evergreen Equity Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 13, 1994, 10 hours before - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,146 total, 210 in this make and model, 9,086 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HRO, 13 nm away ## Other investigations on N90469 (2) 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 SEA75DYE41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75DYE41), May 5, 1975: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N90469), Concrete, WA, destroyed - [NTSB SEA74DYI10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYI10), Mar 24, 1974: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N90469), London, OR, substantial damage 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.