# Accident 20000221012719A: Hiller H23D, Victoria Island, February 21, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 21, 2000, 08:30 local time
- Place: Victoria Island
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 38.3392° N, 119.8306° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3392&lon=-119.8306&mi=10
- Aircraft: N61PC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61PC-2013-08-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hiller H-23D (registry code 4360120, https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-h-23d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-540 series (registry code 41534, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER H23D
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX00LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA107) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000221012719A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT REPORTS, AS SUBSTANTIATED BY WRITTEN STATEMENT, THAT HE WAS PERFORMING AN AERIAL RECONNAISANCE OF A CROP OF ASPARAGUS. WEATHER WAS CLEAR & SUNNY.  PILOT STATED THAT HE KNEW OF THE PRESENCE OF THE TELEPHONE WIRES, BUT BECAME DISTRACTED BY THE PRESENCE OF THREE FIELD WORKERS WALKING ALONG BENEATH HIM.  UPON LOOKING UP INTO THE SUN'S GLARE, HE STRUCK THE WIRE, WHILE FLYING STRAIGHT & LEVEL @ 35 KIAS.  THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT SPUN THE IARCRAFT ABOUT ITS VERICAL AND LATERAL AXIS'.  THE PILOT, FEARING AN INCERTED IMPACT, HAD THE PRESENCE TO KICK FULL RIGHT YAW.  THIS RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT COMING TO REST ON ITS SKIDS.  HIS NEXT RECOLLECTION WAS OF SITTING AT THE CONTROLS, OUT IN THE OPEN; THE CONTROL STICK IN HAND.  HE THEN RECALLS TURNING OFF POWER, AND EXITING THE HELICOPTER.  A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION CONDUCTED ON THE PILOT AT AN AREA HOSPITAL AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED NO INJURIES SUFFERED.  THE AIRCRAFT IS A "TOTAL LOSS", AS STATED BY THE PILOT, AND LATER THE OWNER.  PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE TAKEN SUPPORTS THIS CONCLUSION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX00LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA107), Feb 21, 2000: Hiller H-12E (N61PC), Byron, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while maneuvering in proximity to wires. A contributing factor was the sun glare, which reduced the wire's conspicuity.

## Other reports on N61PC (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19870805043249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870805043249A), Aug 5, 1987: Hiller H23D (N61PC), Brentwood, CA, Substantial damage. The helicopter impacted the ground during aerial application.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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