# NTSB NYC88DFJ02: Hiller UH-12E, N157HA, Cherry Creek, NY, June 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1988, 06:45 local (10:45 UTC)
- Place: Cherry Creek, NY
- Coordinates: 42.289371, -79.099273 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2894&lon=-79.0993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88DFJ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88DFJ02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, HE HEARD A NOISE THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY A DECAY IN ROTOR RPM.  SUBSEQUENTLY, HE WAS FORCED TO LAND IN AN AREA OF TALL TREES & THE HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED.  AN INVESTIGATIONREVEALED THAT A CONNECTING ROD ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N157HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N157HA-1990-02-21), registration cancelled 1990-02-21, S/N HA3057 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: HA3057
- Airframe hours: 3356
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Helicopter Minit-Men,Inc.
- Registered owner: Hellicopter Mint-Men Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1988, 97 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CHERRY CREEK, NY
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,700 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 4,460 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19880627027499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880627027499A), Jun 27, 1988: Hiller UH12E, Cherry Creek, NY, Substantial damage. Connecting rod broke while maneuvering to spray weeds along powerline. Managed to cushion fall into small 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.

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