Hiller-Soloy UH12D accident near Loman, Idaho, July 14, 1992
On July 14, 1992 at about 6:10 pm local time, a Hiller-Soloy UH12D (helicopter), registered N62404, was substantially damaged in an accident near Loman, Idaho. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A SHORT IN THE FUEL QUANTITY SENSOR/TRANSMITTER, AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, AND A TREE COVERED LANDING AREA.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 1992 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Loman, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hiller-Soloy UH12D
- Registration
- N62404 · registry record · serial 1033
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE THE HILLER/SOLOY UH12D WAS REPOSITIONING LOGGING PERSONNEL, IT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SUITABLE LANDING AREA, THE PILOT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT AN AUTOROTATION INTO THE TOP OF THE TREES, WHICH STOOD APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET HIGH. AFTER IMPACTING THE TOP OF THE TREES, THE HELICOPTER FELL TO THE GROUND. AFTER THE CRASH IT WAS FOUND THAT A SHORT IN THE FUEL QUANTITY TRANSMITTER UNIT HAD CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ 20 GALLONS, WHEN THE TANK ACTUALLY HAD ABOUT ONE CUP OF FUEL REMAINING.
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: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,180 hours in all; 115 in this make and model; 68 in the last 90 days; 36 in the last 30 days; 994 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 15,271 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, January 2, 2000; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Columbia Helicopters, INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Other NTSB records under N62404 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number SEA92LA152.