FIVE POINTS, CA, USA
N5323V
HILLER UH12E
WHILE PERFORMING AN AG FLIGHT THE HELICOPTER'S ENGIN SUDDENLY LOST POWER. AT THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR ITS MAX ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT AND IT WAS BETWEEN 3-5FT AGL. AS THE AIRCRAFT YAWED LEFT AND DESCENDED.THE PILOT IN COMMAND ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A SMALL DIRT ROAD. THE PILOT INCOMMAND MISSED THE ROAD, COLLIDED WITH THE EMBANKMENT OF OF A CANAL AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE ROD BOLTS TO THE #1 CON ROD WERE BROKEN. ONE OF THE NUTS HAD BACKED OFF FROM THE ROD BOLT. EXAMINATION OF THE BOLTS IN THE OTHER 5 CYLINDERS DISCLOSED THAT NONE OF THEM HAD BEEN TIGHTENED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURER'S OVERHAUL SPECIFICATIONS. THE AIRCRAFT'S OWNER PERFORMED THE LAST MOH ON THE ENGINE 907 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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