Pilot Debrief

HILLER UH 12E near Firebaugh, CA — 2015-03-29

Final reportWPR15LA138
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Date
2015-03-29
Location
Firebaugh, CA, USA
Aircraft
HILLER UH 12E
Registration
N130HA
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that, during the agricultural application flight, the engine started to shake violently. The pilot executed a left turn and positioned the helicopter into the wind, but the helicopter started to descend, and the engine then lost power. The pilot conducted an autorotation, and the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the tailboom. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels more thoroughly before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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