# NTSB MIA93LA032: Hiller UH-12C, N38767, New Smyrna Bch, FL, December 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1992, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: New Smyrna Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 29.019998, -80.919921 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0200&lon=-80.9199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33205
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33205/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA032

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER APPLICATION OF CYCLIC AND COLLECTIVE PITCH CONTROL DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - autorotation - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WAS DEMONSTRATING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING TO A COMMERCIAL PILOT WHO WAS RECEIVING FLIGHT INSTRUCTION. THE CFI INITIATED THE SIMULATED EMERGENCY WHILE ON BASE LEG. AT ABOUT 75 FEET AGL, THE CFI CONDUCTED A DECELERATION AND APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH AT ABOUT 10 FEET AGL, WITHOUT LEVELING THE HELICOPTER WITH THE CYCLIC CONTROL STICK. THE STINGER, AND TAILROTOR BLADES COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER ALONG WITH THE TAILROTOR GEAR BOX. THE HELICOPTER SLID TO THE RIGHT AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE SKIDS IN THE GRASS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38767](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38767), registered now, S/N 1037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12C
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12c) (registry code 4360116) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1037
- Airframe hours: 6874
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4-200-C33 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Vintage Props & Jets Inc.
- Registered owner: Vintage Props & Jets Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 1992, 20 hours before
- Departed: 34J
- Airport: 34J, New Smyrna Beach Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 666 total, 40 in this make and model, 418 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F

## 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 19921221052829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921221052829A), Dec 21, 1992: Hiller UH12C, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck ground during a demo autorotation with power recovery. Tail rotor separated.

## Other investigations on N38767 (1)

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 LAX85LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA249), May 9, 1985: Hiller 12-C (N38767), Casa Grande, AZ, 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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