# NTSB MIA94LA029: Hiller UH-12E, N130HA, Moore Haven, FL, November 26, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 1993, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Moore Haven, FL - Coordinates: 26.830642, -81.089942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8306&lon=-81.0899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37465 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37465/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA029 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOLLOWING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - crop ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N130HA), registered now, S/N HA3030 (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: HA3030 - Airframe hours: 2793 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19931126046239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931126046239A), Nov 26, 1993: Hiller UH12E, Moore Haven, FL, Substantial damage. During spray run 5 ft AGL engine sputtered and quit. Pitched up. Fell to ground. Too low for autorotation. ## Other investigations on N130HA (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 WPR22LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA245), Jul 6, 2022: Hiller UH-12E (N130HA), Wenatchee, WA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level operations in light rain conditions. - [NTSB WPR15LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA138), Mar 29, 2015: Hiller UH 12E (N130HA), Firebaugh, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.