# NTSB MKC89LA016: Hiller UH-12C, N57FD, Davenport, IA, October 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1988, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Davenport, IA
- Coordinates: 41.610173, -90.587614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6102&lon=-90.5876&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 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34716
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34716/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - autorotation - intentional
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE DEMONSTRATING AN AUTOROTATION TOUCHDOWN, A TAILBOOM STRIKE WAS EXPERIENCED. DAMAGE WAS INCURRED TO THE TAILBOOM, THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, AND ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE. THE CFI SAID EVERTHING FELT NORMAL DURING TOUCHDOWN AND BELIEVED THE SOFT TERRAIN CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57FD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57FD), registered now, S/N 817 (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 6VS-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6vs-335-series) (registry code 27040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 817
- Airframe hours: 5577
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Veteran'S Aviation Service Inc
- Registered owner: Veterans Aviation Servic Inc
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1988, 17 hours before
- Departed: DVN, DAVENPORT, IA
- Airport: DVK, Davenport, runway 21, 4,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,230 total, 16 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19881026048299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881026048299A), Oct 26, 1988: Hiller UH12C, Davenport, IA, Substantial damage. Main rotors chopped off tailboom on a simulated autorotation landing. Pilot blamed soft ground.

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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