SPARTANBURG, SC, USA
N6408
HILLER UH-12D (H23)
DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT ABOVE THE TREETOPS, THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THEY HEARD A LOUD 'POP' OVER THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE. THE PLT TOLD HER THAT THEY WERE GOING DOWN AND SHE NOTICED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES BEGAN TO TURN SLOWER THAN USUAL BEFORE THE HELO COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THEN THE GROUND. A PROLONGED POST IMPACT GROUND FIRE CONSUMED THE WRECKAGE. THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE FUEL AND IGNITION SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE AND WAS UNABLE TO BE EVALUATED. ASSOCIATES OF THE PILOT STATED THAT HE USUALLY OPERATED AT APPROX 200 FT AGL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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