Hiller UH-12C accident near Delphos, Ohio, June 16, 1999
On June 16, 1999 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Hiller UH-12C (helicopter), registered N57CR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Delphos, Ohio. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A blocked fuel line, from an unknown object, that resulted in fuel starvation, and total loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm during the autorotation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 1999 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Delphos, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hiller UH-12C · all UH-12Cs on the register
- Registration
- N57CR · no longer on the register · serial 909
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After maintenance was completed to change an engine, the pilot conducted a test flight, paid the bill, and departed. About 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot felt the helicopter shutter, and noticed a partial loss of power, accompanied by engine surges. The pilot executed an autorotation to an open field, followed by a hard landing. No pre impact failures or malfunctions were identified with the engine or engine accessories. After the accident the helicopter had approximately 25 gallons of fuel onboard. Power was applied to the auxiliary fuel pump, it rotated, but no fuel was expelled. The pump was examined, and no failures or malfunctions were identified. Also, no breaks in the fuel system were identified. The engine driven fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump share a common fuel filter, and plumbing from the fuel tanks.
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: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 750 hours in all; 170 in this make and model; 75 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 690 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,952 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 30, 1998; 36 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6VS-335 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: I12 Sidney OH at 7:15 pm
- Destination: DFI Defiance OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:51 pm from DAY, 65 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.