Hiller-Tri-Plex Ind.Inc. UH-12B accident near Okeechobee, Florida, January 26, 2013
On January 26, 2013 at about 12:58 pm local time, a Hiller-Tri-Plex Ind.Inc. UH-12B (helicopter), registered N9041U, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Okeechobee, Florida. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to monitor carburetor temperature and use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in partial 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
- January 26, 2013 · about 12:58 pm local time
- Place
- Okeechobee, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hiller-Tri-Plex Ind.Inc. UH-12B
- Registration
- N9041U · no longer on the register · serial 359
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While airborne hunting, the pilot was maneuvering the helicopter at low altitude when the engine experienced a partial loss of power. During the subsequent forced landing, the helicopter struck trees and was substantially damaged. Postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power. During a postaccident interview, the pilot reported that he did not monitor the carburetor temperature or use the engine carburetor heat during the flight or subsequent to the engine power degradation. Therefore, it is likely that the carburetor accumulated ice, which subsequently resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
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 (partial) during maneuvering (hover) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Contributed to outcome
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,000 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 4,500 as pilot in command; 900 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 10, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,532 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 9, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6V-350-B (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Florida Helicopter Adventures LLC.
The flight
- Departed from: Okeechobee FL at 12:30 pm
- Destination: Okeechobee FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from OBE, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on June 27, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements and Interview Summaries | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Reports from Local Agencies (Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office) | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Post Accident Examination - Memorandum for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Excerpts from Hiller UH-12B Hfm | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Weight and Balance Information | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | On-scene Photographs as Provided by FAA (6 Images) | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.