# NTSB LAX87DVA05: Hiller OH23D, N46991, Coalinga, CA, February 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1987, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Coalinga, CA
- Coordinates: 36.190071, -120.39093 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1901&lon=-120.3909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DVA05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVA05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT BEFORE HE BEGAN THE AGRICULTURAL AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT HE NOTED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE PLT COMPLETED TWO FLIGHTS, RETURNING TO THE LOADING AREA AFTER EACH FLIGHT. AFTER COMPLETING THE THIRD FLIGHT AND WHILE RETURNING TO THE LOADING AREA THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL POWER LOSS. DURING THE ENSUING AUTOROTATION THE PLT FLARED TOO HIGH AND LOST TAIL ROTOR AUTHORITY. THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A RISING EMBANKMENT AND THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING ON ITS RIGHT SKID. THE POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL CONTROL INLET LINES DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46991](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46991-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER OH23D
- Registry model: [Hiller OH-23D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-oh-23d) (registry code 4360123) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 962
- Airframe hours: 11043
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: San Joaquin Helicopters
- Registered owner: San Joaquin Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 12, 1986, 10 hours before
- Airport: CLG, Coalinga

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19870219006079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870219006079A), Feb 19, 1987: Hiller STCUH12, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The helicopter landed hard. The pilot reported fuel gauge inoperative.

## Other investigations on N46991 (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 LAX88DVA17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVA17), Oct 1, 1988: Hiller UH12E (N46991), Mcfarland, CA, 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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