# NTSB FTW94LA147: Hiller UH-12B, N6417V, Crystal Beach, TX, May 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1994, 20:40 local (May 8, 1994, 01:40 UTC) - Place: Crystal Beach, TX - Coordinates: 28.680107, -99.819923 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6801&lon=-99.8199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19050 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19050/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA147 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER AUTOROTATION TOUCHDOWN, WHICH RSULTED IN THE HARD LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE POWER LOSS DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL ENGINE POWER LOSS DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT STATED THAT LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD WOULD HAVE BEEN HAZARDOUS AND HE ELECTED TO TURN DOWN WIND AND ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER BACK INTO THE WIND AT LOW ALTITUDE. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD, TOUCHED DOWN SIDEWAYS, ROCKED ON THE SKIDS, AND ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-ACCIDENT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE ENGINE OR ITS ACCESSORIES. HOWEVER, ANALYSIS OF THE FUEL TAKEN FROM THE SYSTEM REVEALED THAT IT WAS CONTAMINATED WITH WATER. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1994, at 2040 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12B helicopter, N6417V, was substantially damaged during landing near Crystal Beach, Texas. There was no flight plan filed for the local sightseeing flight and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Neither the commercial pilot nor the two passengers were injured. According to the pilot, the aircraft lost partial power during initial climb after takeoff. The pilot stated that he felt that landing straight ahead would have been hazardous and he elected to turn down wind and attempted to maneuver back into the wind at low altitude. The pilot reported that an excessive rate of descent developed prior to touchdown. The helicopter touched down sideways, rocked on the skids, and rolled onto its left side. Investigation revealed no evidence of pre-accident mechanical failure or malfunction within the engine or its accessories. However; an analysis of fuel taken from the system revealed that it was contaminated with water. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6417V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6417V), registered now, S/N 417, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12B - 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: 417 - Airframe hours: 3633 - Engines: FRANKLIN O335-5D 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Beaumont Wings, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1993, 85 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 654 total, 156 in this make and model, 572 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 14 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GLS ## 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 19940507010289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940507010289A), May 7, 1994: Hiller UH12B, Crystal Beach, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Turned downwind then into wind. Lost rotor RPM. Impacted. Rolled. Water in fuel. ## Other investigations on N6417V (3) 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 DEN82FTM04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTM04), Nov 16, 1981: Hiller UH12C (N6417V), Logan, UT, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX77DVA16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77DVA16), Jan 15, 1977: Hiller Acft UH-12C (N6417V), Terra Bella, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK65A0068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK65A0068), May 26, 1965: Hiller UH12B (N6417V), Porterville, CA, 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.