Hiller UH-12B N5072R accident near Merritt Island, Florida

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from an overstress failure of a fitting on the fuel supply line and led to an autorotation and hard landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, when the helicopter was about 75 feet above ground level, he heard a "pop" noise, and the engine then lost total power. The pilot performed an autorotation, and the helicopter subsequently landed hard on a taxiway. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the fuel supply line from the gascolator to the mechanical fuel pump was not attached and that the fuel supply line and fitting were broken where they attached to the gascolator. Examination determined that the fuel fitting separated due to overstress. It is likely that, when the fuel supply line fitting broke off of the gascolator, it resulted in a loss of fuel supply to the engine, subsequent fuel starvation, and a total loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13LA127 for the full record.