- Date
- February 16, 1996, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place
- Carrizo Springs, TX
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N67065Hiller UH-12D
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 25, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19960216002049A
- Case key
- 19762
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's improper touchdown.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The helicopter departed the ranch's office on a local flight to spot deer. 'While cruising at about 50 feet and about 40 knots indicated airspeed and after making a 360 degree turn, the engine either lost power or for some other reason would not maintain adequate rotor RPM.' The pilot lowered the collective in an attempt to increase rotor RPM, 'but, the RPM would not reach the minimum required to fly.' Subsequently, he landed the helicopter hard, and 'the main rotor blade struck the tailboom, severing the boom and 3 feet of blade.' The helicopter came to rest on its side. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any premishap discrepancies. The reason for the loss of engine and rotor RPM could not be determined.
Factual narrative
On February 16, 1996, at 1015 central standard time, a Hiller UH-12D helicopter, N67065, registered to, and operated by T.M. Davis Construction Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 aerial observation flight, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while maneuvering near Carrizo Springs, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at the ranch office at approximately 0830.
The pilot reported that the helicopter departed the Windship Ranch for a local flight to spot deer. "While cruising at about 50 feet and about 40 knots indicated airspeed and after making a 360 degree turn, the engine either lost power or for some other reason would not maintain adequate rotor RPM." The pilot further reported that he lowered the collective in an attempt to increase rotor RPM, "but, the RPM would not reach the minimum required to fly." Subsequently, he landed the helicopter hard, and "the main rotor blade struck the tailboom, severing the boom and 3 feet of blade." The helicopter came to rest on its side.
Examination of the airframe and engine by the FAA inspector did not reveal any pre-mishap discrepancies. The reason for the loss of engine power and rotor RPM could not be determined.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N67065
- Reported as
- Hiller UH-12D
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 1023
- Airframe hours
- 6,576
- Engine
- Lycoming VO-435-A1C, 250 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation · Part 91
- Registered owner
- T.M. Davis Construction Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · September 20, 1996 · 44 hours before
- Departed
- NONE
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 51
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 672 total · 223 in this make and model · 557 as pilot in command · 5 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 45° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 70 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N67065 · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.