# NTSB LAX84FA106: Hiller UH-12A, N8108H, Van Nuys, CA, December 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1983, 11:22 local (19:22 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.190471, -118.489845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1905&lon=-118.4898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA106

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - object - building(nonresidential)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) STATED THAT THE ENG QUIT 2 TIMES AFTER HE REFUELED THE HELICOPTER. HE THEN DRAINED A QUANTITY OF WATER FROM THE FUEL GASCOLATOR & RESTARTED THE HELICOPTER. AFTER THAT HE AIR TAXIED THE HELICOPTER TO THE FLT SCHOOL WHERE, WITHOUT SHUTTING DOWN THE ENG, HIS STUDENT BOARDED. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AS THEY WERE CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 300 FT AGL. THE CFI EXECUTED A 180 DEG TURN & AUTOROTATED TO AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A FLAT ROOFED BUILDING. DURING THE LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE TAIL BOOM & THE FRONT CROSS TUBE OF THE LANDING GEAR WAS BENT. DURING AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER, ABOUT 1/2 GAL OF WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE SYS & ABOUT 8 OUNCES OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR. THE FUEL TRUCK WAS CHECKED & NO EVIDENCE OF WATER WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8108H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8108H-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N 108, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12A
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12a) (registry code 4360104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-335-series) (registry code 27039, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 108
- Airframe hours: 1844
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335-B 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Yehiam Konski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1983, 35 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,380 total, 4,330 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 31.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 1 nm away

## 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 19831216061399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831216061399A), Dec 16, 1983: Hiller UH12A, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to water in fuel. Made hard autorotation landing on a roof. Fuel cap gaskets leaked water into fuel

## Other investigations on N8108H (2)

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 SEA77DYM34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77DYM34), May 28, 1977: Hiller Acft UH-12C (N8108H), Albany, OR, destroyed
- [NTSB SEA76FYC20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76FYC20), Sep 20, 1975: Hiller Acft UH-12B (N8108H), Brownsville, OR, 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.

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