# NTSB NYC85FGM02: Hiller UH-12B, N17129, Butler, PA, November 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1984, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Butler, PA
- Coordinates: 40.86034, -79.890151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8603&lon=-79.8902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FGM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35593/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FGM02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AFTER TRAINING AT MCVILLE ARPT FOR ABOUT 1HR & 15MIN THE PLT DECIDED TO PURCHASE FUEL, TAXIED TO THE FUEL PUMPS & DISCOVERED THAT THE OPERATOR WAS NOT THERE. THE CFI EST THAT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL TO FLY TO BUTLER COUNTY ARPT, APRX 18 MILES AWAY. DURING THE FLT TO BUTLER THEY ENCOUNTERED STRONG GUSTY HEAD WINDS & WITH THE STUDENT PLT FLYING HAD TROUBLE WITH ALT & HEADING. ABOUT TWO MIN AFTER SIGHTING THE ARPT THE ENG QUIT & THE PLT MADE AN AUTOROTATION INTO TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17129](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17129), registered now, S/N 51-16189, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12B
- Registry model: [Hiller OH-23B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-oh-23b) (registry code 4360109) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-335-series) (registry code 27039, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: MIL 5116189
- Airframe hours: 21984
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6U335A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce Banning
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1984, 72 hours before
- Departed: GO6, FREEDOM, PA
- Destination: BTP, BUTLERN, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17,638 total, 5 in this make and model, 10,300 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Observed at: BVI, 25 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 19841115062119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841115062119A), Nov 15, 1984: Hiller H23B, Butler, PA, Substantial damage. No fuel at practice airport. Elected to return to home base upwind. Ran out of fuel a mile short. Landed in trees.

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.