N9743C

On July 23, 1996, at 1913 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N9743C, registered to and operated by Summit Helicopters Inc., sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, following a loss of power near Mount Holly, Arkansas. The airline transport rated pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. A flight plan was not filed for the local flight.

The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge that the helicopter was fueled with 20 gallons of fuel on July 22, 1996, and "there was no flying until the afternoon of the 23rd." He further reported that he "remembers little, to nothing, of the events of that day." He also reported that his wife was performing duties of "swamper," and "that at the time of loading the 7th load she had glanced at [the] fuel gauge and saw it indicated about 1/2 tank."

The helicopter retrieval truck driver reported that on Monday afternoon, the pilot put 20 gallons of fuel in the helicopter, and it did not fly until Tuesday afternoon. He further reported that the helicopter was on its seventh "load" when it crashed, and it had not been refueled.

The operator reported that during recovery of the helicopter that there was no odor of fuel around the aircraft, and no sign of fuel spillage. While digging down approximately six inches into the ground around the entire crash site, no evidence of fuel was found.

The operator further reported that examination of the engine revealed that the power turbine turned the compressor freely. Their examination of the fuel pump filter and fuel lines revealed no fuel present. Less than one gallon of fuel was found in the fuel tank and the tank was not ruptured.

The operator also reported the following information. When the battery was connected, the fuel gauge indicated empty. Their procedures do not consider the gauge accurate or reliable therefore, they "stick" the tank to determine fuel quantity. "Normal procedures" for this company "is to spray three loads and then refuel." The helicopter fuel tank holds 46 gallons of fuel and the engine uses approximately "28 gallons per hour during some ag operation maneuvers."

The aircraft had an annual inspection completed on April 16, 1996. Several 25 hour inspections, and a 100 hour inspection had been complied with since the date of the annual. No unusual or recurring maintenance discrepancies were noted during the review of the aircraft records by the FAA inspector.

Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed that the helicopter came to rest on its left side in a heavily wooded area. During a walk-around of the accident site, no odor or other indication of a fuel spill was present. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the main rotor blades were damaged, and the main rotor mast was damaged and bent. The tail section was substantially damaged, and part of it was separated and found approximately 30 to 35 feet from the main wreckage.