# NTSB MIA88LA225: Hiller UH-12E, N108HA, Clewiston, FL, July 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1988, 07:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Clewiston, FL
- Coordinates: 26.749877, -80.929328 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7499&lon=-80.9293&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): 32213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA225

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED 20 GALS WHEN HE TOOK OFF ON SPRAYING FLT. HE HAD JUST COMPLETED THE SPRAY RUN & STARTED TO PULL UP FROM ABOUT 10 FT & 25 MPH. AT THAT TIME THE ENG QUIT '& SOUNDED JUST LIKE IT WOULD IF IT RAN OUT OF GAS'. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ALT OR AIRSPEED FOR AUTOROTATION & CHOPPER HIT GROUND IN HIGH SINK RATE & PARTIALLY FELL INTO A CANAL. THE PLT STATED IN TEL CONVERSATION WITH NTSB THAT AFTERNOON THAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD RUN OUT OF GAS. AT THE SCENE, FAA VISUALLY CHECKED FUEL QUANTITY THROUGH THE FILLER OPENING & THOUGHT TANK TO BE EMPTY. THE NEXT DAY, THE PILOT CALLED FAA & SAID HE DRAINED 2.5 GALS OF FUEL FROM ACFT & THAT HE HAD FOUND A FUEL VENT CLOGGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N108HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N108HA-2020-02-26), registration cancelled 2020-02-26, S/N HA3008, built 1974 (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: HA 3008
- Airframe hours: 2089
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Taylor Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1988, 99 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,250 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 38 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 19880718028129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880718028129A), Jul 18, 1988: Hiller UH12E, Clewiston, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to fuel starvation. Too low for autorotation. Struck ground and fell into canal. Fuel vent clogged.

## Other investigations on N108HA (2)

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 OAK78DJA16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DJA16), Aug 25, 1978: Hiller UH12E (N108HA), Wahiawa, HI, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK76FJA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76FJA10), Feb 3, 1976: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N108HA), Oahu, HI, 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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