# NTSB NYC88DGM01: Hiller UH-12E, N5375V, Lovely, PA, August 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1988, 06:30 local (10:30 UTC)
- Place: Lovely, PA
- Coordinates: 40.00978, -78.500885 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0098&lon=-78.5009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88DGM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88DGM01

## Probable cause

THE UNDETERMINED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE PERFORMING LOW LEVEL AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND THE OBSERVER/PASSENGER WERE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS ALONG A POWERLINE RIGHT-OF-WAY WHEN THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN RIGHT AND CLIMB TO AVOID OBSTACLES, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT PRODUCE FULL POWER WHEN HE ADDED FULL THORTTLE. THE HELICOPTER 'SETTLED AND CRASHED' IN AN AREA OF TALL TREES. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION INCLUDED AN ENGINE TEARDOWN, WHICH REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5375V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5375V-1990-03-05), registration cancelled 1990-03-05, S/N 2072 (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: 2072
- Airframe hours: 8189
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Helicopter Minit-Men, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 14, 1988, 21 hours before
- Departed: LOAD SITE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,419 total, 1,735 in this make and model, 3,090 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 150° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: A00, 15 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 19880804030139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880804030139A), Aug 4, 1988: Hiller UH12E, Lovely, PA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Struck a tree on edge of powerline right of way while spraying herbicide. Hard impact killed the observer.

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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