Hiller UH-12E N4029R accident, Gretna, FL, Jun 1, 1988 · NTSB MIA88LA183

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malfManeuvering - aerial application

Engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,totalCause

Engine assembly,cylinder - separationCause

Forced landingDescent - emergency

Autorotation - not possibleFactor

Hard landingLanding - flare/touchdown

Roll overLanding - flare/touchdown

Analysis

While on an aerial application flt, the plt stated he maneuvered the helicopter to release the remaining chemical. He then heard a loud 'screeching' noise followed by silence as the eng quit. The helicopter landed hard breaking the skids. It came to rest on its right side. Post crash inspection of the engine revealed the no. 2 cylinder partially separated and the no. 3 cylinder connecting rod failed at the shoulder near the crankshaft journal due to fatigue.

Aircraft

Registration: N4029R
Reported as: Hiller UH-12E
Category: Helicopter
Serial number: 5103
Airframe hours: 1,530
Engine: Lycoming VO-540-C2A, 305 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Aerial application · Part 137
Registered owner: Dominion Helicopter, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
Last inspection: 100 hour · May 17, 1988 · 42 hours before

N4029RRegistration cancelled Mar 10, 2008 · Hiller UH-12ES/N 5103 · Built 1980 Airframe modelHiller UH-12E Engine modelLycoming VO-540 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 34
Certificates: Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Flight hours: 3,520 total · 400 in this make and model · 3,300 as pilot in command · 200 in the last 90 days · 175 in the last 30 days · 8 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 90° at 9 knots
Visibility: 7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F
Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Observed at: TLH, 25 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.

Accident 19880531061059AHiller UH12E · Gretna, FLConnecting rod failed while spraying a field. Hard forced landing broke a skid and helicopter rolled over.May 31, 1988 · N4029R · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N4029R · 3

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB MIA88LA014Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportUnion Church, MSAt an altitude of aprx 75 feet during an agricultural turn, the plt reported that the engine lost power. While executing a forced landing, the rotor blades contacted trees, after which, during the descent, the right skid collided with a stump & the helicopter…Oct 6, 1987 · Substantial damage NTSB ATL83LA355Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCameron, SCThe plt stated that he was on a trimming/swath run at about 15 ft AGL & 15 mph when he heard a strange noise which was followed by a 180 deg yaw. Subsequently, the helicopter crash landed, damaging the tail boom & tail rotor blades and spreading the landing…Sep 5, 1983 · Substantial damage NTSB ATL82DA073Accident · No injuriesFinal reportLydia, SCThe pilot was applying liquid fertilizer on his last swath run prior to reloading when the engine stopped. A run-on landing was attempted during which the skids sank into the soft ground causing the helicopter to roll over. The field was level and covered…Mar 17, 1982 · Substantial damage