# NTSB SEA85FA137: Hiller UH-12C, N4732, Warm Springs, OR, June 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1985, 21:51 local (Jun 14, 1985, 04:51 UTC)
- Place: Warm Springs, OR
- Coordinates: 44.819206, -121.309921 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8192&lon=-121.3099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40049/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,strainer - loose (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

DURING A FLT FROM MADRAS, OR TO WALLA WALLA, WA, A LOSS OF ENG POWER OCCURRED DUE TO A FUEL FLOW PROBLEM & THE PLT MADE A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION NEAR WARM SPRINGS, OR. A COMPANY MECHANIC WAS DISPATCHED TO THE HELICOPTER & HE REPAIRED A LOOSE FUEL LINE FITTING. LATE THAT EVENING, THE PLT STARTED & RAN THE ENG FOR ABOUT 10 MIN. HE THEN HOVERED FOR 4 TO 5 MIN BEFORE STARTING HIS DEPARTURE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING DEPARTURE, THE ENG BEGAN LOSING RPM AT ABOUT 40 FT AGL. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTORE POWER, BUT WAS UNABLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED ON ITS SKID LANDING GEAR & TAIL SKID, THEN CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE ABOUT 60 FT FROM THE IMPACT POINT. AN EXAM OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT THE FUEL STRAINER, KOE/K2250B-2, WAS LOOSE AT BOTH ENGS OF THE GLASS & COULD BE TURNED WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE. THE BOLT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LOWER PIECE WAS NOT SAFETY WIRED & WAS LOOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4732 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 259
- Airframe hours: 734
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4-178-B335 178 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aircraft Commerce, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1984, 27 hours before
- Destination: S33, MADRAS, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 342 total, 3 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 27 °F

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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