# NTSB SEA96LA100: Hiller UH-12, N174HA, Walla Walla, WA, May 27, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 1996, 17:29 local (May 27, 1996, 00:29 UTC) - Place: Walla Walla, WA - Coordinates: 46.110912, -118.29972 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1109&lon=-118.2997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42372/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA100 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight/planning, and his failure to refuel the helicopter with sufficient fuel before flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing. A factor relating to the accident was: an inaccurate fuel quantity gauge, which displayed a false indication of fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he exhausted his fuel supply while attempting to land at the destination airport for refueling. He had previously attempted to refuel at a remote landing zone equipped with a fuel truck, but the fuel truck was unable to pump fuel at that time. The pilot and the owner of the operation boarded the helicopter and decided to fly to the airport with what they thought was about 14 gallons of fuel on board. The pilot intended on landing the helicopter (en route), if the fuel gauge reached the 'yellow' range during the flight. About 2.5 nautical miles from the airport, when the fuel gauge needle was slightly outside of the yellow range, the engine 'quit.' The pilot executed an immediate autorotation. One of the helicopter's skids impacted soft terrain during the landing and a main rotor blade struck the ground. The helicopter rolled over and was substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 1996, at 1729 Pacific daylight time, N174HA, a Hiller UH-12 helicopter, operated by Blue Mountain Aviation, Inc., collided with terrain and was substantially damaged during an emergency landing near Walla Walla, Washington. The emergency landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power during cruise. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The business flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot reported that he exhausted his fuel supply while attempting to land at the Walla Walla Regional Airport for refueling. The pilot had previously attempted to refuel at a remote landing zone equipped with a fuel truck, but the fuel truck was unable to pump fuel at that time. The pilot and the owner of the operation boarded the helicopter and decided to fly to the airport with the low fuel levels that was contained in the helicopter. They stated that they had about 14 gallons of fuel on board. The pilot intended on landing the helicopter if the fuel gauge reached the "yellow" range during the flight. About 2.5 nautical miles from the airport, when the fuel gauge needle was slightly outside of the yellow range, the engine "quit." The pilot executed an immediate autorotation. One of the helicopter's skids impacted soft terrain during the landing and a main rotor blade struck the ground. The helicopter rolled over and was substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N174HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N174HA-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N HA3074, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hiller UH-12 - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3074HA - Airframe hours: 5953 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bma, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1996, 187 hours before - Departed: WA - Destination: ALW, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 14,000 total, 90 in this make and model, 13,500 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ALW, 2 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 19960526011549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960526011549A), May 26, 1996: Hiller UH12E, Walla Walla, WA, Substantial damage. Unable refuel at business sight. Low on fuel. Tried for airport but ran out fuel 2MI short. Landing rolled over. ## Other investigations on N174HA (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 LAX81DVA51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DVA51), Jun 27, 1981: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N174HA), Delano, CA, 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. --- 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.