- Date
- November 26, 1993, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place
- Moore Haven, FL
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N130HAHiller UH-12E
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 13, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19931126046239A
- Case key
- 37465
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain aircraft control following loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
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.
Analysis
The pilot stated that while flying at an altitude of 5 feet AGL, spraying crops, the engine sputtered and quit. The aircraft pitched up and then descended into the ground. Postaccident examination of the engine indicated the engine rotated normally and each magneto produced normal spark. All fuel lines and screens were free of debris. Five gallons of uncontaminated fuel was drained from the aircraft and engine fuel system. Continuity of all flight control and engine controls were confirmed.
Factual narrative
On November 26, 1993, about 0945 eastern standard time, a Hiller UH-12E, N130HA, registered to Taylor Helicopter, Inc., crashed near Moore Haven, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 137, aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from a road near Moore Haven, Florida, on November 26, 1993, at 0940.
The pilot stated he was flying east at 5 feet agl and at 50 knots, spraying a field. The engine sputtered and quit and the aircraft pitched up and then fell to the ground. He stated the aircraft contained 10 gallons of fuel at the time of engine failure.
Postaccident examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector indicated there was continuity of all engine and flight control systems. The aircraft's fuel tank contained 5 gallons of uncontaminated fuel. All fuel screens and lines were free of contamination and obstructions. The engine was motored using the starter and the engine assembly had continuity. Each ignition lead sparked normally during engine motoring.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N130HA
- Reported as
- Hiller UH-12E
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- HA3030
- Airframe hours
- 2,793
- Engine
- Lycoming VO-540-C2A, 305 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- Taylor Helicopter Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 14, 1993 · 10 hours before
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
- 53
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 12,000 total · 2,500 in this make and model · 35 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 600 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- FMY, 46 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.
Other investigations on N130HA · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.