Pilot Debrief

HILLER UH-12E near Grand Junction, CO — 2010-06-25

Final reportCEN10CA362
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Date
2010-06-25
Location
Grand Junction, CO, USA
Airport
2CO9
Aircraft
HILLER UH-12E
Registration
N9754C
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Hover

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter had recently undergone an annual inspection and about a month thereafter the pilot planned to take it for a test flight. After completing an engine run-up, he noted that the helicopter appeared to be operating well. The pilot elected to perform a hover-taxi to a nearby helipad, which consisted of a flight path that would overfly a storage container. As he flew past the container, the helicopter’s engine experienced a total loss of power and he landed in a bark pile. During a postaccident visual examination by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors, they could not determine any problems with the helicopter’s engine. The pilot reported that following the helicopter being recovered he found a plug covering the fuel tank's vent line. The pilot opined that the plug resulted in the loss of power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Ensure fuel vent line was clear before attempting flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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