N4034Z

On November 15, 2010, a Hiller-rogerson Helicopter UH12E (N4034Z) was involved in an incident near Madison, FL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's encounter with a settling with power condition while he was performing slow, low-level, out-of- ground-effect flight maneuvers.

According to the helicopter pilot, he was completing north-south herbicide spray patterns with winds varying from the east to south at 4 to 5 mph. As the pilot positioned the helicopter for the next northern track, he "began to feel the aircraft start to lose altitude after the turn." The pilot stated that he tried to regain control by pushing forward the cyclic and lowering the collective to "get out of the settling with power." When ground contact was imminent, he raised the collective to cushion the impact. The helicopter touched down, spun, and rolled onto its left side. Post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA059. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4034Z.