Hiller-Tri-Plex UH-12B N9041U

Summary

On 26 January 2013 at about 12:58 local time, a Hiller-Tri-Plex UH-12B registered N9041U, operated by Florida Helicopter Adventures LLC., was involved in an accident near Okeechobee, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 January 2013 at 12:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Okeechobee, Florida, United States

Coordinates

27.3761, -80.7917

Aircraft

Hiller-Tri-Plex UH-12B

Registration

N9041U

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Florida Helicopter Adventures LLC.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Okeechobee → Okeechobee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13LA118

3 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to monitor carburetor temperature and use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in partial loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While airborne hunting, the pilot was maneuvering the helicopter at low altitude when the engine experienced a partial loss of power. During the subsequent forced landing, the helicopter struck trees and was substantially damaged. Postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power. During a postaccident interview, the pilot reported that he did not monitor the carburetor temperature or use the engine carburetor heat during the flight or subsequent to the engine power degradation. Therefore, it is likely that the carburetor accumulated ice, which subsequently resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.