# NTSB LAX89LA169: Hiller UH-12D, N14490, Bolinas, CA, April 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1989, 11:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Bolinas, CA
- Coordinates: 37.940231, -122.729255 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9402&lon=-122.7293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26387/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA169

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING IN THAT HE DID NOT ACCURATELY ACCOUNT FOR THE FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT AS A BASIS FOR FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS THEREBY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP PRODUCING POWER BECAUSE OF A LACK OF FUEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INACCURATE FUEL GAUGE AND CLOCK IN THE AIRCRAFT THAT THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF BEFORE THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

DURING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED INTO A SURF TIDAL POOL RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE NORMALLY 'STAKED' THE FUEL TANKS BEFORE APPROXIMATELY 95% OF HIS FLIGHTS BUT INDICATED THAT HE DID NOT CHECK THE FUEL LEVEL BEFORE THIS FLIGHT. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT BOTH THE FUEL GAUGE AND THE CLOCK IN THE AIRCRAFT WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14490](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14490-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 1003, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12D
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12d) (registry code 4360118) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (registry code 41516, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1003
- Airframe hours: 2098
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 133
- Operator: Mountain Air Helicopter
- Registered owner: Carson Leasing & Equity Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 17, 1989, 33 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,164 total, 215 in this make and model, 3,917 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19890414009879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890414009879A), Apr 14, 1989: Hiller UH12D, Bolinas, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel during external load operation. Autorotated to a hard landing that damaged the helicopter.

## Other investigations on N14490 (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 SEA77DYM18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77DYM18), Jan 27, 1977: Hiller Acft UH12D (N14490), Pendleton, 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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