# NTSB MIA92LA135: Hiller UH12C, N46937, Punta Gorda, FL, June 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1992, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Punta Gorda, FL
- Location: 26.8940° N, 82.0665° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Punta Gorda, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8940&lon=-82.0665&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33099/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA135

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MONITOR FUEL CONSUMPTION AND FLIGHT TIME RESULTING IN EXHAUSTION OF FUEL AND ENGINE FAILURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER AUTOROTATION FOLLOWING ENGINE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED TO CAPACITY AND DEPARTED AT 1045 LOCAL TIME. AT 1250 LOCAL TIME THE FLIGHT EXPEREINCED COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND WHILE MAKING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD. POSTCRASH EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED THE HELICOPTER CONTAINED ABOUT 2 QUARTS OF FUEL. NO EVIDENCE OF PRECRASH OR POSTCRASH FUEL LEAKAGE WAS NOTED. THE AIRCRAFT HAS A 26.5 USABLE FUEL CAPACITY AND CONSUMES ABOUT 13 GALLONS PER HOUR. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLYING 2 HOURS 5 MINUTES AT THE TIME OF ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N46937 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 862
- Airframe hours: 3703
- Engines: FRANKLIN GV3354B 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Arthur H. Jocher
- Registered owner: Arthur H. Jocher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1992, 19 hours before
- Departed: X14, LABELLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,942 total, 45 in this make and model, 1,808 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 20 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 19920609019159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920609019159A), Jun 9, 1992: Hiller UH12C, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on powerline patrol. Autorotated to hard landing. Collapsed a skid. Helicopter out of usable fuel.

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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