# NTSB MIA84FA078: Hiller UH-12E, N19MP, Waldo, FL, February 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1984, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Waldo, FL
- Coordinates: 29.789709, -82.169609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7897&lon=-82.1696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aerial application equipment - fire (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING USED TO DISPENSE AERIAL INCENDIARY DEVICES (AIDS) TO CONTROL FOREST BURNING. THE AIDS WERE 1.25 INCH DIAMETER POLYSTYRENE BALLS CONTAINING POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE. THEY WERE INJECTED WITH ETHYLENE GLYCOL PRIOR TO BEING DROPPED OUT OF THE ACFT BY A DISPENSING MACHINE. THE MACHINE WAS INSTALLED ON THE CABIN FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE RGT DOOR OPENING. FIRE ERUPTED IN AN EXTRA SUPPLY OF AID BALLS LOCATED IN THE CANOPY BUBBLE FORWARD OF THE SEATS. THE EXTRA AIDS WERE STORED IN PLASTIC BAGS. AFTER THE FIRE ERUPTED, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A NEARBY ROAD , BUT LOST CONTROL BECAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CREWMEMBER DID NOT JETTISON THE AID DISPENSER BECAUSE THE FIRE WAS IN THE CANOPY BUBBLE. THE AID BALLS HAD BEEN SHIPPED IN BLACK PLASTIC BAGS & PACKED IN CORRUGATED PAPER CARTONS. THE EXTRA SUPPLIES OF AIDS IN THE ACFT WERE IN THE PLASTIC BAGS THAT HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CORRUGATED CARTONS. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ALLOWED FOR EXTRA CARTONS OF AIDS TO BE CARRIED IN THE CABIN OF THE ACFT, IF THEY WERE SECURELY FASTENED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19MP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19MP-2005-11-01), registration cancelled 2005-11-01, S/N 1603, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1603
- Airframe hours: 7415
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Walter M. Moore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 27, 1983, 75 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,250 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 9,170 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 10 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 19840215038669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840215038669A), Feb 15, 1984: Hiller UH12E, Waldo, FL, Destroyed. Fire erupted in aerial forestry ignition device. Crewman unable to jettison device. Helilcopter hit trees. Burned.

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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