Hiller UH12-E N14MQ

Summary

On 3 April 1996 at about 17:25 local time, a Hiller UH12-E registered N14MQ, operated by Haddock Flying Service, Inc, was involved in an accident near Huger, South Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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.

Date

3 April 1996 at 17:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Huger, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

33.0901, -79.8009

Aircraft

Hiller UH12-E

Registration

N14MQ

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Haddock Flying Service, Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL96LA076

1 person was seriously injured.

The blocked fuel vent line that resulted in engine stoppage. A factor was tall trees that intervened the helicopter's flight path.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During helicopter operations using a long line to spray jellied fuel to conduct a controlled burn of trees, the engine quit. At the time, the helicopter was just above the tree tops about 75 feet above the ground. An autorotation was established toward the nearest clearing. The helicopter struck trees before reaching the clearing, resulting in a hard landing on the clearing's edge. The pilot said that the engine's quitting was consistent with fuel exhaustion, however, he had been flying 40 minutes with the 1.5 hour supply that was in the helicopter at the initial departure. Subsequently, the fuel tank vent was found to be clogged by dirt from an insect nest and insect parts.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.