# NTSB LAX83LA296: Hiller UH12E, N4036A, San Diego, CA, June 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1983, 12:56 local (19:56 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.80035, -117.129463 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8004&lon=-117.1295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA296
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA296

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE FORCED LANDING AFTER A POWER LOSS. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE PLT SAID HE CHECKED THE FUEL QUANTITY ON THE ACFT. TAKEOFF WAS AT ABOUT 1222 PDT. AT 1256 PDT THE PLT ARRIVED AT DESTINATION AND ADVISED THE TOWER THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER THE ACFT ENGINE QUIT. THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON ARPT PROPERTY. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE REPORTED THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 1 PINT OF FUEL IN THE MAIN TANK AND LESS THAN ONE QUART OF FUEL IN EACH OF THE TWO AUX TANKS. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACCIDENT REPORT ON NTSB FORM 6120.1 AS REQUIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4036A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4036A-1984-05-10), registration cancelled 1984-05-10, S/N 5206, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5206
- Airframe hours: 18
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: P.S. Helicopter Co.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 26, 1983, 8 hours before
- Departed: NFG, OCEANSIDE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYF

## 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 19830623027009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830623027009A), Jun 23, 1983: Hiller UH12E, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during autorotation landing on airport. Ran out of fuel on final approach.

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.

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