# NTSB NYC82DA087: Hiller UH-12A, N116S, New Paltz, NY, May 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1982, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: New Paltz, NY
- Coordinates: 41.739124, -74.079986 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7391&lon=-74.0800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71988
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71988/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA087

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 400 FT AGL, THE PILOT NOTICED A DECAY IN THE MAIN ROTOR RPM; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE RPM WAS REPORTED TO HAVE REMAINED CONSTANT. THE PILOT SUSPECTED A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN AN APPLE ORCHARD. DURING THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED AN APPLE TREE AND LANDED HARD. DURING THE LANDING, THE SKIDS WERE BENT, THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN, THE FUSELAGE STRUCTURE WAS BUCKLED, AND THE TAIL ROTOR WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N116S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N116S-2017-02-22), registration cancelled 2017-02-22, S/N 278 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12A
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12a) (registry code 4360104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: FRANKLIN O-335 178 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steve Charles Sladky
- Registered owner: Steve Charles Sladky
- Departed: KINGSTON, NY
- Destination: GREENWOOD LAKE, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 88 total, 39 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: 149 °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 19820502037979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820502037979A), May 2, 1982: Hiller UH12A, Highland, NY, Substantial damage. RPM decay, struck a tree and landed hard in a apple orchard. Oil leak between engine and transmission. Oily clutch.

## Other investigations on N116S (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 ERA10CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA262), May 9, 2010: Hiller UH12 (N116S), Sarasota, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed remedial action to maintain main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of lift and hard landing.

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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