# NTSB NYC86LA160: Hiller 12C, N1042C, Lehighton, PA, June 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1986, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Lehighton, PA
- Coordinates: 40.829238, -75.7107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8292&lon=-75.7107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA160

## 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 - water (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HILLER 12C REPORTED AN OVERHEATED ENGINE FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE FAILURE. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE MAIN ROTOR FLEXED AND CUT THE TAIL BOOM OFF THE THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED. 10 OZ. OF A LIQUID WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. 7 OZ. WAS FUEL AND 3 OZ. WAS WATER. THE REPORTED ENGINE OVERHEAT AND ENGINE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE ENGINE RAN SATISFACTORLY. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE UNINJURED IN THE ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED IN DAYLIGHT. THE PLT/OWNER HAD HABIT OF NOT REFUELING AFT FLTS THUS LEAVING TKS LESS THAN FULL AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER CONDESATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1042C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1042C), registered now, S/N 846 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER 12C
- Registry model: [Hiller-Trident Helicopters UH-12C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-trident-helicopters-uh-12c) (registry code 4360809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 846
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-335-B1 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Albert Finkelstein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1985, 60 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,000 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19860629034699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860629034699A), Jun 29, 1986: Hiller UH12C, Lehighton, PA, Substantial damage. Over heated engine quit. Chopped tailboom landing. Fuel tank empty. Water in sump. Stored low fuel routinely.

## Other investigations on N1042C (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 NYC80DA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80DA067), Aug 9, 1980: Hiller Acft UH-12C (N1042C), Meriden, CT, substantial damage

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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