Accident Hiller UH-12E N527HA, Thursday 20 August 1992

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Date:	Thursday 20 August 1992
Time:	20:30 LT
Type:	Hiller UH-12E
Owner/operator:	Bonanza Valley Aviation
Registration:	N527HA
MSN:
Engine model:	Lycoming VO-540
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Dows, IA - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER REPORTED AN ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE HE WAS PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A DITCH DURING THE FORCED LANDING. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED CONTAMINATED FUEL IN THE HELICOPTER FUEL SYSTEM AND IN THE FUEL TANK USED TO SERVICE THE AIRCRAFT.

Probable Cause: CONTAMINATED FUEL RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Accident investigation: