# NTSB FTW94LA210: Hiller UH-12L4, N90453, West Helena, AR, June 22, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 1994, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: West Helena, AR - Coordinates: 34.520206, -90.599708 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5202&lon=-90.5997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19095 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19095/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA210 ## Probable cause A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A LEAK IN THE MAIN FUEL LINE WHICH OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH BURNED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE. FACTORS WERE A FAILURE BY THE PILOT TO PERFORM RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE 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) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - electrical system,electric wiring - shorted (cause) - fuel system,line - leak (cause) - maintenance - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A DOWNWIND AUTOROTATION TO A LEVY AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. A POSTIMPACT FIRE OCCURRED WHICH DESTROYED THE HELICOPTER. POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH BURNED A HOLE IN THE MAIN FUEL LINE. A MECHANIC HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THE PILOT CHANGE THE ROUTING OF THE FUEL/ELECTRICAL LINES. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 1994, at 1530 central daylight time, a Hiller UH- 12L4, N90453, impacted a levy after a power loss during initial climb following takeoff. The pilot was not injured and the helicopter was destroyed by impact and postimpact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this aerial application flight and no flight plan was filed. Departure was from the Buren Griffin Farms, 5 miles south of West Helena, Arkansas. According to the pilot, some electrical lines and the main fuel line were routed through the same area and held in place by a common clamp. An electrical line shorted and burned a hole in the fuel line. The pilot stated that the routing of the lines together was pointed out to him by a mechanic and he was told this was a potentially unsafe installation. The pilot said that had he followed the mechanic's advice and rerouted the lines the accident would not have happened. In addition, the pilot stated he had to perform a down wind autorotation from about 50 feet and landed hard on the down slope of a levy. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90453](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90453-2013-04-12), registration cancelled 2013-04-12, S/N 2503, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12L4 - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12L4](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12l4) (registry code 4360128) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2503 - Airframe hours: 1800 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Mcdowell, Kenneth T. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 20, 1994, 20 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 18,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 17,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 21° at 17 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 1 nm away ## Other investigations on N90453 (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 FTW79FPJ26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FPJ26), Jun 22, 1979: Hiller UH12L4 (N90453), Elk City, OK, 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.