Accident Details
On June 19, 2011, at approximately 0720 Pacific daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E helicopter (registration N138HA) experienced a hard landing in an agricultural field near Lost Hills, California. The helicopter was operated by the pilot-owner under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 for aerial application. The flight had departed a local refueling site about 15 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, after making a spray pass during which he applied chemicals to an agricultural field, he ascended to about 100 feet above ground level to execute a downwind turn. At that time, the helicopter's engine suddenly stopped producing power. Because of his altitude, the pilot immediately entered an autorotational descent to attempt a forced landing. During the landing sequence, he applied up collective to slow the descent rate and initiate the landing flare, but the main rotor blades lost energy to produce lift while the helicopter was still about 10 feet above the ground. Consequently, the helicopter landed hard in an alfalfa field, and the impact resulted in substantial damage to both the main rotor blades and the airframe.
Postaccident Inspection
A postaccident teardown inspection of the helicopter's fuel system determined that the engine-driven fuel pump could not be turned by hand, that its internal metallic surfaces were galled, and that it was contaminated with loose metal particles. The inspection also determined that the 24-volt-powered auxiliary fuel pump had failed and could not be turned by hand.