THERMAL, CA, USA
N4027L
HILLER UH-12E
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS APRX 1/3 OF THE WAY THRU A PROCEDURE TURN AT ABOUT 60 FT AGL, WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. HE COMPLETED THE TURN, LEVELED THE HELICOPTER & MOUMENTARILY REGAINED COMPLETE POWER, THEN THE ENGINE QUIT OPERATING. AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING TO A ROAD WAS STARTED, BUT THE PLT SAW A TRUCK APPROACHING, SO HE MANEUVERED BACK TOWARD THE FIELD THAT HE HAD BEEN SPRAYING. DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER & IT CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE PRIMED BEFORE THE ENG WOULD START. REPORTEDLY, A FUEL INTERUPTION TO THE PUMP COULD CAUSE IT TO LOSE ITS PRIME, & IF THIS OCCURRED DURING FLT, FUEL STARVATION WOULD OCCUR. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD MADE CYCLIC TURNS TO KEEP POSTITIVE G'S ON THE ROTOR SYSTEM RATHER THAN CYCLIC & PEDAL TURNS. APRX GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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