# NTSB SEA92LA152: Hiller-Soloy UH12D, N62404, Loman, ID, July 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1992, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Loman, ID
- Coordinates: 44.140304, -115.320404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1403&lon=-115.3204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42853/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA152

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A SHORT IN THE FUEL QUANTITY SENSOR/TRANSMITTER, AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, AND A TREE COVERED LANDING AREA.

## 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)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - shorted (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE THE HILLER/SOLOY UH12D WAS REPOSITIONING LOGGING PERSONNEL, IT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SUITABLE LANDING AREA, THE PILOT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT AN AUTOROTATION INTO THE TOP OF THE TREES, WHICH STOOD APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET HIGH. AFTER IMPACTING THE TOP OF THE TREES, THE HELICOPTER FELL TO THE GROUND. AFTER THE CRASH IT WAS FOUND THAT A SHORT IN THE FUEL QUANTITY TRANSMITTER UNIT HAD CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ 20 GALLONS, WHEN THE TANK ACTUALLY HAD ABOUT ONE CUP OF FUEL REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62404](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62404-2002-10-21), registration cancelled 2002-10-21, S/N 1033, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hiller-Soloy UH12D
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12d) (registry code 4360118) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1033
- Airframe hours: 15271
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Columbia Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Columbia Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 2, 2000, 9 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,180 total, 115 in this make and model, 994 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19920714025549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920714025549A), Jul 14, 1992: Hiller UH12D, Loman, ID, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel during external hoist log operation. Fuel quanity indicator was defective. Showed 20 gal empty.

## Other investigations on N62404 (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 SEA88LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA150), Aug 10, 1988: Hiller UH-12E (N62404), Leavenworth, WA, 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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