# NTSB SEA85LA046: Hiller UH12DJ3, N87977, Forks, WA, January 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1985, 10:24 local (18:24 UTC)
- Place: Forks, WA
- Coordinates: 47.790222, -124.260871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7902&lon=-124.2609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A HARD LANDING AND ROLLED TO THE LEFT INVERTED AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT STATED THAT THE FUEL GUAGE WAS NOT WORKING AND THAT HE WAS USING A DIP STICK TO MEASURE FUEL AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE FAILURE. HE STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE HAD 25 MINUTES OF FUEL REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N87977 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12DJ3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: HA1127
- Airframe hours: 14800
- Engines: ALLISON A250-C20 250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: B And K Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, FORKS, WA
- Destination: FORKS, WA
- Airport: Forks

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,364 total, 8,316 in this make and model, 11,113 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19850122029999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850122029999A), Jan 22, 1985: Hiller UH12D, Forks, WA, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel landed hard and rolled over. Fuel bladder may have been collapsed on refueling. Gauges intermittant

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.