Hiller UH12-C N5317V
16 July 1999 · Venice, Florida, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 16 July 1999 at about 12:10 local time, a Hiller UH12-C registered N5317V, operated by Michael B. Pritchard, was involved in an accident near Venice, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. 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 12:10
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Venice, Florida, United States
- Coordinates
- 27.0891, -82.4297
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH12-C
- Registration
- N5317V
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Michael B. Pritchard
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL99LA108
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
Loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the passenger inadvertently shutting off the fuel supply.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
According to the pilot, the helicopter lost power while flying at 50 knots and 100 feet above the ocean during a flight to record video footage of the area. The pilot made an auto-rotation into the water. Both the pilot and passenger were immediately rescued by a nearby boat. Examination of the helicopter by the FAA found that the engine had sustained salt water contamination. Further examination established continuity throughout the engine and the drive train. Additionally, the magnetos sparked when rotated, there was oil/water in the crankcase, and there was fuel/water in the fuel tanks. The fuel shutoff valve control lock was inspected and it was found that it could be repositioned to allow movement of the control to the 'off' position by a slight downward pressure on the control knob. The fuel shutoff valve control knob was directly to the left of the passenger's left foot and approximately one inch off the floor. The exact position of the fuel shutoff valve prior to the accident was not determined. The passenger was wearing his seatbelt loosely to allow him to film directly out of the doorway.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Hiller UH12 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Apr 1996 | Hiller UH12-E | Huger, South Carolina, United States | Haddock Flying Service, Inc | Serious injuries | - |
| 1 Jul 1996 | Hiller UH12 | Franklin, Louisiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Aug 1992 | Hiller UH12-E, SALOY CONVER | Arvin, California, United States | San Joaquin Helicopters, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 9 May 2010 | Hiller UH12 | Sarasota, Florida, United States | Helicopter Service by Randy, LLC | Minor injuries | - |
| 7 Apr 1983 | Hiller UH12-E | Kettleman City, California, United States | Baldrick Crop Dusting | No injuries | - |
| 2 Oct 1983 | Hiller UH12-E | Tenino, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Mar 1999 | Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 | Zephyrhills, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 23 Oct 1999 | Piper PA-28-161 | Lake Wales, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Jun 1999 | Cessna 182P | Lantana, Florida, United States | Valerie E. Eikenberg | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 Oct 1999 | Robinson R-22-MARINER | West Boca Raton, Florida, United States | Volar Helicopters, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Oct 1999 | Beechcraft D35 | Indiantown, Florida, United States | Christopher M. Conlisk | Unknown | - |
| 19 Dec 1999 | Piper PA-24-400 | Naples, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |