Hiller UH12C accident near Punta Gorda, Florida, June 9, 1992
On June 9, 1992 at about 4:50 pm local time, a Hiller UH12C (helicopter), registered N46937, was substantially damaged in an accident near Punta Gorda, Florida. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MONITOR FUEL CONSUMPTION AND FLIGHT TIME RESULTING IN EXHAUSTION OF FUEL AND ENGINE FAILURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER AUTOROTATION FOLLOWING ENGINE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 9, 1992 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Punta Gorda, Florida
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH12C · all UH12Cs on the register
- Registration
- N46937 · no longer on the register · serial 862
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED TO CAPACITY AND DEPARTED AT 1045 LOCAL TIME. AT 1250 LOCAL TIME THE FLIGHT EXPEREINCED COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND WHILE MAKING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD. POSTCRASH EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED THE HELICOPTER CONTAINED ABOUT 2 QUARTS OF FUEL. NO EVIDENCE OF PRECRASH OR POSTCRASH FUEL LEAKAGE WAS NOTED. THE AIRCRAFT HAS A 26.5 USABLE FUEL CAPACITY AND CONSUMES ABOUT 13 GALLONS PER HOUR. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLYING 2 HOURS 5 MINUTES AT THE TIME OF ENGINE FAILURE.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,942 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,808 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,703 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 24, 1992; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin GV3354B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X14 Labelle FL at 2:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:50 pm from FMY, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under N46937 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.