# NTSB FTW96LA121: Hiller UH-12D, N67065, Carrizo Springs, TX, February 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 16, 1996, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Carrizo Springs, TX - Coordinates: 28.520851, -99.850059 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5209&lon=-99.8501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19762 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19762/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA121 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's improper touchdown. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67065), registered now, S/N 1023, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hiller UH-12D - Registry model: [Hiller-Osborn UH-12D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-osborn-uh-12d) (registry code 4361501) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1023 - Airframe hours: 6576 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960216002049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960216002049A), Feb 16, 1996: Hiller UH12D, Carrizo Springs, TX, Substantial damage. Aerial observation for deer spotting. Low and slow. Steep turn. Rotor speed decay. Hard landing. Chopped tailboom. ## Other investigations on N67065 (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 FTW92LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA044), Dec 2, 1991: Hiller-Osborn UH-12D (N67065), Rio Medina, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE DURING TOUCHDOWN. 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.