SIGEL, PA, USA
N109EH
HILLER UH-12E
THE PLT WAS ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT OVER A WOODED AREA. ACCORDING TO HIM, HE HAD A TAIL ROTOR PROBLEM & IT WAS NECESSARY TO EXTEND HIS GLIDE TO REACH AN OPEN AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK & SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD DECLINED TO REFUEL PRIOR TO THE LAST TAKEOFF. WITNESSES STATED THAT FUEL HAD BEEN ADDED TO THE TANKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, BEFORE THE INVESTIGATOR ARRIVED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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