NONE · Hiller UH-12E · 1999-01-24 · LEMOORE, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX99LA081
Event ID
20001204X00083
Type
Accident
Date
1999-01-24
Location
LEMOORE, CA, USA
Coordinates
36.290092, -119.820549
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
1
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
Hiller
Model
UH-12E
Registration
N67064
FAR Part
137
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The inadequate nature of the operator's maintenance, which failed to detect the primer and magneto discrepancies. An overly lean fuel mixture and/or magneto cross firing resulted in detonation, an ensuing connecting rod failure, and a total loss of engine power. Contributing factors were the helicopter's low altitude and the uneven, soft nature of the terrain.