Hiller UH-12C N92993

Summary

On 27 April 2007 at about 17:45 local time, a Hiller UH-12C registered N92993 was involved in an accident near Plant City, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 April 2007 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Plant City, Florida, United States

Coordinates

28.0000, -82.1500

Aircraft

Hiller UH-12C

Registration

N92993

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tampa → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA07LA089

1 person was seriously injured.

The loss of engine power due to a magneto impulse coupling failure for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor stated that he was conducting a discovery flight with a student, and all of a sudden, while the helicopter was in cruise flight at an altitude of 600 feet, the engine shook violently, shaking the whole helicopter. He said this lasted for several seconds and then the engine ceased operating. He said he immediately entered autorotation and attempted to affect an autorotative landing. During the landing the helicopter incurred damage. A postcrash examination of the helicopter by an FAA licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic, under the supervision of an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the right magneto impulse coupling had failed, and caused the impulse coupling to impact the stud used for starting. According to the inspector, this resulted in the gear train stoppage, and the engine ceasing to operate. The maintenance log revealed that the helicopter had last been given an annual inspection on June 5, 2006.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.