Hiller UH-12E N7086
16 August 1989 · Tolleson, Arizona, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 16 August 1989 at about 11:30 local time, a Hiller UH-12E registered N7086, operated by Moseley Aviation, Inc., was involved in an accident near Tolleson, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 11:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Tolleson, Arizona, United States
- Nearest airport
- Cnty Boy Crop Dusting Arp
- Coordinates
- 33.4209, -112.2701
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH-12E
- Registration
- N7086
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Moseley Aviation, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 137: Agricultural
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Application
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- LAX89DUJ09
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHICH PRECEDED AN AUTOROTATION AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND DURING NIGHT TIME CONDITIONS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT OF THE SPRAY HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE AFTER A TAKEOFF FROM A REFUELING STOP. THE AIRCRAFT AUTOROTATED INTO AN OPEN FIELD, BOUNCED AND ROLLED OVER INTO ITS SIDE. A FUEL SAMPLE TAKEN ON THE SAME DAY REVEALED THAT APPROXIMATELY 15% OF THE FUEL WAS WATER. A LATER TEST OF THE FUEL BY THE COMPANY REVEALED THAT CONTAMINATION WAS TWO QUARTS TO FIVE GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Hiller UH-12E accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Nov 1989 | Hiller UH-12E | Raymond, Washington, United States | Glacier Helicopters | No injuries | - |
| 9 Mar 1989 | Hiller UH-12E | Golden, Colorado, United States | Harry G. Laforge | No injuries | - |
| 11 Oct 1989 | Hiller UH-12E | Yuma, Arizona, United States | West Farm Air Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 13 May 1989 | Hiller UH-12E | Mack, Colorado, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 26 Apr 1989 | Hiller UH-12E | Salinas, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Sep 1989 | Hiller UH-12E | Hudsonville, Michigan, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sep 1989 | Cessna 180 | Flagstaff, Arizona, United States | George Thomas | No injuries | - |
| 21 Sep 1989 | Cessna 152 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | Button Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 27 Sep 1989 | Robinson R22 | Scottsdale, Arizona, United States | Arizona Wing and Rotor | No injuries | - |
| 8 Oct 1989 | Roger Nelson AERONICA/T | Sierra Vista, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Oct 1989 | Rand Engineering KR-II | Eloy, Arizona, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 4 Nov 1989 | Bell UH-1E | Mesa, Arizona, United States | Gilman D. Christopher | No injuries | - |