# NTSB MIA88LA183: Hiller UH-12E, N4029R, Gretna, FL, June 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1988, 20:36 local (Jun 1, 1988, 00:36 UTC)
- Place: Gretna, FL
- Coordinates: 30.609214, -84.660667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6092&lon=-84.6607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - not possible (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4029R-2008-03-10), registration cancelled 2008-03-10, S/N 5103, built 1980 (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 VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5103
- Airframe hours: 1530
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880531061059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880531061059A), May 31, 1988: Hiller UH12E, Gretna, FL, Substantial damage. Connecting rod failed while spraying a field. Hard forced landing broke a skid and helicopter rolled over.

## Other investigations on N4029R (3)

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 MIA88LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA014), Oct 6, 1987: Hiller UH-12E (N4029R), Union Church, MS, substantial damage
- [NTSB ATL83LA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA355), Sep 5, 1983: Hiller UH-12E (N4029R), Cameron, SC, substantial damage
- [NTSB ATL82DA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA073), Mar 17, 1982: Hiller UH12E (N4029R), Lydia, SC, 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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