Hiller UH-12B N62246
27 July 1991 · Westfield, Massachusetts, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 27 July 1991 at about 13:45 local time, a Hiller UH-12B registered N62246, operated by James T. Kilbridge, was involved in an accident near Westfield, Massachusetts, 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 13:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Westfield, Massachusetts, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH-12B
- Registration
- N62246
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- James T. Kilbridge
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Walkill → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC91LA189
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL RESULTING IN A POWER FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT CALCULATED HE HAD OVER 2 HOURS OF FUEL FOR THE FINAL LEG OF THE FLIGHT. HE FOUND HE WAS OFF COURSE TO THE WEST, SO HE LANDED THE HELICOPTER TO FIND HIS POSITION, WITHOUT SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE. HE TOOK OFF HEADING EAST AND HAD TO LAND AGAIN TO GET HIS POSITION, THIS TIME SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF. HE WAS 5 MILES SOUTH OF HIS INTENDED LANDING AIRPORT. THE PILOT SAID AT THIS POINT HE HAD ABOUT 4 GALLONS OF FUEL. WHILE ON APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT THE ENGINE FAILED AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CEMETERY. HE LANDED SHORT OF HIS INTENDED LANDING AREA AND IMPACTED WITH A HEAD STONE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Hiller UH-12B accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Apr 1990 | Hiller UH-12B | Sanford, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Oct 1992 | Hiller UH-12B | Anahuac, Texas, United States | Chambers County | Unknown | - |
| 8 May 1994 | Hiller UH-12B | Crystal Beach, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Nov 1987 | Hiller UH-12B | Newnan, Georgia, United States | Unlimited Directions, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 29 Nov 1986 | Hiller UH-12B | Capac, Michigan, United States | Mark W. Smith | No injuries | - |
| 7 Apr 1986 | Hiller UH-12B | Fall River, Kansas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jul 1991 | Piper PA-23-250 | Templeton, Massachusetts, United States | Charles O'donnell | No injuries | - |
| 28 Jul 1991 | Beechcraft C-23 | Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States | David J. Stoddard | No injuries | - |
| 31 Aug 1991 | Mooney M20J | Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States | Thomas P. Heeney | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 Sep 1991 | Cessna 172M | Norwood, Massachusetts, United States | Executive Flyers Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 28 Sep 1991 | McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | East Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Continental Airlines Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 Apr 1991 | Bell 47-G3B1 | Harwich, Massachusetts, United States | Firefly Leasing, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |