Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during a hover taxi, he inadvertently allowed the engine rpm to decrease. He increased the throttle, but the helicopter landed hard on its skids in the grass and the tail rotor impacted the ground. The ground strike resulted in substantial damage to the tail rotor blades and tailboom assembly. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot noted that a better scan of the engine instruments could have prevented the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA383 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 27, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mosby, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Midwest National Air Center Ai (GPH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Hiller UH-12A
- N-number
- N8178H
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1950
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.