Hiller UH-12E N104HH

Summary

On 29 July 2010 at about 13:30 local time, a Hiller UH-12E registered N104HH, operated by Haddock Flying Service Inc, was involved in an accident near Holly Hill, South Carolina, United States. One person was 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

29 July 2010 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Holly Hill, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

33.3056, -80.4331

Aircraft

Hiller UH-12E

Registration

N104HH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Haddock Flying Service Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Holly Hill → Holly Hill

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10LA383

1 person was seriously injured.

Maintenance personnel's improper inspection and cleaning of the fuel nozzle, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that as he approached a tree line for aerial application his chemical ran out. As he turned back to reload the chemical, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot quickly conducted an autorotation and collided with trees before coming to rest on the ground. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the combustion chamber fuel spray nozzle was clogged with carbon and soot deposits, which is likely the result of the nozzle not being properly inspected and cleaned during the last 100-hour inspection. A review of the engine maintenance logbooks revealed that the last 100-hour inspection was completed 41 days prior to the accident. According to the aircraft Hobbs time, the engine accumulated 40 hours since the 100-hour inspection.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.