Hiller 1345 accident near Michigan City, Indiana, August 3, 1991
On August 3, 1991 at about 7:29 pm local time, a Hiller 1345 (helicopter), registered N57972, was substantially damaged in an accident near Michigan City, Indiana. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE THE PILOT'S DELAY IN REFUELING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE PRESSURE INDUCED BY OTHERS (PASSENGER), AND THE ABSENCE OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 1991 · about 7:29 pm local time
- Place
- Michigan City, Indiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hiller 1345
- Registration
- N57972 · no longer on the register · serial 1345
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE RETURNING FROM A FLIGHT FILMING SESSION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AN EMERGENCY DESCENT WAS ATTEMPTED SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LOSS OF POWER WAS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 750 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 750 as pilot in command; 60 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-540-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MGC Michigan City IN at 5:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,200 ft; not recorded at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 7:50 pm from GYY, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.