Hiller UH-12D N94496
31 March 1990 · Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 31 March 1990 at about 18:38 local time, a Hiller UH-12D registered N94496 was involved in an accident near Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, United States. 3 people were on board and one died, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 18:38
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.2607, -85.1694
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH-12D
- Registration
- N94496
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Hixson → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL90FA089
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
FATIGUE INDUCED FAILURE OF THE COLLECTIVE PITCH PUSH ROD (ADJUSTABLE) DURING FLIGHT, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROVIDE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPEREINCE AND HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN REQUIRED TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT OBSERVED DECREASING ENGINE AND ROTOR RPM. HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, BUT THE RPM DID NOT RETURN. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT. AN INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THAT THE COLLECTIVE PITCH PUSH ROD (ADJUSTABLE) HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE LAST RECORDED MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON FEBRUARY 22, 1988, MORE THAN TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT/OWNER WAS OPERATING THE HELICOPTER WITH A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE AND WAS CARRYING PASSENGERS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Hiller UH-12D accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Jul 1990 | Hiller UH-12D | Walla Walla, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1991 | Hiller UH-12D | Savoy, Illinois, United States | Board of Trustees-U. of I. | No injuries | - |
| 23 Oct 1989 | Hiller UH-12D | Mentor, Ohio, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Apr 1989 | Hiller UH-12D | Bolinas, California, United States | Mountain Air Helicopter | No injuries | - |
| 9 Jul 1988 | Hiller UH-12D | Winterhaven, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 Apr 1988 | Hiller UH-12D | Bakersfield, California, United States | West Farm Air Inc. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Oct 1990 | Olsen-Gordon VERI EZE | Hohenwald, Tennessee, United States | Creel, Rodney J. | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Nov 1990 | Bell 47J-2 | Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States | Pigeon Forge Helicopters, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 8 Dec 1990 | Cessna 150J | Ripley, Tennessee, United States | Shelby Aviation, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 3 Nov 1990 | Bell 412 | Knoxville, Tennessee, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Nov 1990 | Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340A | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | Heleasco Twenty Four, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Oct 1990 | E Tn Plts Starduster STARDUSTER II | Knoxville, Tennessee, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |