Hiller UH-12E accident near Holly Hill, South Carolina, July 29, 2010
On July 29, 2010 at about 1:30 pm local time, a Hiller UH-12E (helicopter), registered N104HH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Holly Hill, South Carolina. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Maintenance personnel's improper inspection and cleaning of the fuel nozzle, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2010 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Holly Hill, South Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH-12E · all UH-12Es on the register
- Registration
- N104HH · registry record · serial 2062
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that as he approached a tree line for aerial application his chemical ran out. As he turned back to reload the chemical, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot quickly conducted an autorotation and collided with trees before coming to rest on the ground. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the combustion chamber fuel spray nozzle was clogged with carbon and soot deposits, which is likely the result of the nozzle not being properly inspected and cleaned during the last 100-hour inspection. A review of the engine maintenance logbooks revealed that the last 100-hour inspection was completed 41 days prior to the accident. According to the aircraft Hobbs time, the engine accumulated 40 hours since the 100-hour inspection.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel injector nozzle › Inadequate inspection
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 19,890 hours in all; 5,700 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 19,790 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 10, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,099 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 19, 2010; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,700 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Haddock Flying Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: Holly Hill SC at 1:25 pm
- Destination: Holly Hill SC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 1:35 pm from DYB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.