# NTSB investigations: Lycoming VO-540 series, CA

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 2 · 95 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR15LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA138.md): Hiller UH 12E · Firebaugh, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 2015 · N130HA · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR14LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA062.md): Hiller UH 12E · Chowchilla, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 2013 · N36MV · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the torsional drive coupling, which resulted in a loss of drive to the main rotor system during low-altitude flight.
- [NTSB WPR12LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA115.md): Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Farmington, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2012 · N43921 · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight separation of the wood portion of one main rotor blade while maneuvering at low level, the reason for which could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR11CA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA146.md): Hiller UH-12E · Colusa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 26, 2011 · N236HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and an inadvertent encounter with settling with power while flying downwind.
- [NTSB WPR10LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA127.md): Hiller UH-12E · Los Banos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 2, 2010 · N36MV · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the throttle interconnect hardware, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR10LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA117.md): Bell 47G-4A · Shafter, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 2010 · N28938 · Substantial damage
  > The loss of a main rotor blade counterweight due to corrosion. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the operator to perform the initial and recurrent inspections required by a Service Bulletin to detect the corrosion in the counterweight.
- [NTSB WPR10CA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA094.md): Hiller UH-12E · Tipton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 1, 2010 · N440NR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
- [NTSB LAX05CA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA313.md): Hiller UH 12-E · Five Points, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 22, 2005 · N141HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB LAX05LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA187.md): Bell 47G-4A · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 25, 2005 · N110DT · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.
- [NTSB LAX04LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA176.md): Bell 47G-4A · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 3, 2004 · N7NB · Substantial damage
  > a loss of tail rotor drive due to a disconnection of the drive shaft's splined coupling at the tail rotor gear box. The splined coupling to tail rotor gear box disconnection occurred as a result of tail boom flexing due to the combined effects of an…
- [NTSB LAX03LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA197.md): Bell 47-G4 · Porterville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2003 · N9017N · Destroyed
  > loss of control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX01LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA276.md): Bell 47G-4A · Strathmore, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 2001 · N4262Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB LAX01LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA245.md): Hiller UH-12E · Blythe, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 2001 · N9281P · Substantial damage
  > The selection by the pilot of an unsuitable precautionary landing site on soft, uneven terrain, which resulted in a rollover.
- [NTSB LAX01LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA196.md): Bell 47G-4A · Buttonwillow, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 31, 2001 · N110DT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in settling with power during an aerial application turn-to-reverse direction and collision with the ground. Factors were high density altitude and a wind shift.
- [NTSB LAX00LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA116.md): Bell 47G-4A · Wasco, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2000 · N1354X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Factors included the ambient carburetor icing conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB LAX00LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA107.md): Hiller H-12E · Byron, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 2000 · N61PC · Substantial damage
  > 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.
- [NTSB LAX00LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA077.md): Hiller UH-12E · Five Points, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 26, 2000 · N68024 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate clearance while maneuvering beneath a telephone line.
- [NTSB LAX00LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA027.md): Hiller UH-12E · Castroville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 1999 · N5374V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and diverted attention.
- [NTSB LAX98LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA197.md): Bell 47G-4A · Shafter, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 1998 · N110DT · Substantial damage
  > The aircraft's encounter with settling with power, which resulted from the pilot's decision to perform a steep downwind approach.
- [NTSB LAX98LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA089.md): Hiller UH-12E · Chico, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 1998 · N4027Z · Substantial damage
  > Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to ensure that an adequate fuel supply was onboard. A contributing factor was related to the fuel quantity gage's erroneous indication of fuel.
- [NTSB LAX96LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA279.md): Hiller UH-12E · Healdsburg, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 1996 · N124HA · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to confirm a loss of power before entering autorotation after reading an erroneous instrument indication on the helicopter's dual tachometer. Factors in the accident were the erratic instrument, and maintenance personnel who failed to…
- [NTSB LAX95LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA132.md): Hiller UH-12E · Five Points, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 12, 1995 · N172ET · Substantial damage
  > fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inattention to the fuel supply.
- [NTSB LAX95LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA109.md): Hiller UH-12E · Arvin, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 1995 · N5335V · Substantial damage
  > The seizure of the transmission due to lack of lubrication from a plugged oil supply line.
- [NTSB LAX95LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA096.md): Hiller UH-12E · Chowchilla, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 3, 1995 · N9293Z · Destroyed
  > the in-flight failure and separation of the main rotor hub due to a fatigue crack.
- [NTSB LAX94LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA043.md): Hiller UH-12E · Salinas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 1993 · N149HA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper handling of the helicopter which resulted in overloading of the rotor system in a maneuvering turn during aerial application of chemical, and subsequent failure of the main rotor paddle assembly.
- [NTSB LAX93LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA120.md): Bell 47G · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 1993 · N1185W · Substantial damage
  > The clutch slippage and failure of the pilot to jettison the load.
- [NTSB LAX92LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA349.md): Hiller UH12-E, Saloy Conver · Arvin, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 1992 · N9753C · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the tension torsion bar pin due to fatigue. Contributing to this accident was that it was not possible for the pilot to flare the helicopter on landing.
- [NTSB LAX92LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA152.md): Hiller UH-12E · Watsonville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 1992 · N149HA · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the pilot to conduct an adequate pre-flight inspection of the aircraft to ensure that the fuel supply was free of contaminates. Contributing to this accident was fuel contamination.
- [NTSB LAX92LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA146.md): Hiller UH-12E · Huron, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 21, 1992 · N93478 · Destroyed
  > A separation of the control rotor cuff due to fatigue.
- [NTSB LAX91LA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA388.md): Texas Helicopter M74 · Farmington, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 1991 · N43921 · Destroyed
  > Loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. Factors related to the accident were: the excessive gross weight of the helicopter, and the pilot's improper use of flight controls due to impairment from use of a drug (marijuanna).
- [NTSB LAX91LA363](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA363.md): Bell 47G · Kettleman City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 1991 · N4062G · Substantial damage
  > A non-mechanical loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion by the pilot's improper calculation of the fuel supply and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB LAX91LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA249.md): Hiller UH-12E · Huron, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 1991 · N507HA · Substantial damage
  > That unknown pilot(s) impoperly used the throttle control which caused an overspeed condition. Contributing to this accident was the connecting rod bolt fatigue failure.
- [NTSB LAX91LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA191.md): Hiller UH-12E · Delano, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 4, 1991 · N4414 · Substantial damage
  > That the pilot improperly performed the autorotation by misjudging the flare altitude. Contributing to this accident was the total failure of the freewheeling sprag clutch due to excessive wear and the soft dirt terrain.
- [NTSB LAX90DVD03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVD03.md): Texas Helicopter M47A Wasp · Stockton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 27, 1990 · N43921 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot misjudged the altitude during the flare/touchdown phase of the autorotation. Factors relating to this accident are failure of the right magneto.
- [NTSB LAX90DVA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVA01.md): Hiller 12E · Huron, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Oct 16, 1989 · N4026G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to properly preflight the airplane before departing on the accident flight and misjudged the flare during the ensuing autorotation. Factors relating to this accident were oil starvation and total failure of the connecting rod.
- [NTSB LAX89DVM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVM02.md): Hiller UH-12E · Salinas, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Apr 26, 1989 · N169HA · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the torsion coupling in the main rotor drive system.
- [NTSB LAX88DVA16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVA16.md): Hiller UH-12E · Helm, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Sep 10, 1988 · N4029Y · Substantial damage
  > During an aerial application flight, the pilot lost control of the helicopter just after liftoff and collided with the terrain. Inspection of the wreckage revealed that the chemical trucks filler hose was still attached to the helicopter when it lifted off.
- [NTSB LAX88DUG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUG06.md): Hiller UH-12E · Thermal, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Aug 17, 1988 · N65120 · Substantial damage
  > Shortly after refueling the helicopter & reloading the hopper, the plt took off & was starting to spray a field when the eng suddenly lost power. The plt said the helicopter was dscndg from about 30 ft when the power loss occurred; thus, he barely had time to…
- [NTSB LAX87DVD04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVD04.md): Hiller UH-23-D · Brentwood, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 5, 1987 · N61PC · Substantial damage
  > During an aerial application flight, the tail boom weight separated and contacted the tail rotor. The pilot lost control of the aircraft and collided with a tree and subsequently the terrain. Post acc invest revealed that the 'pip pins' which secure the tail…
- [NTSB LAX87DVD01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVD01.md): Bell 47G4A · Stockton, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Feb 2, 1987 · N28938 · Substantial damage
  > Just after takeoff, the engine experienced a power loss while transporting agricultural equipment. A fractographic examination of the failed fuel disconnect fitting by anamet laboratories, concluded that approximately 70% of the retaining ring on the fuel…
- [NTSB LAX86FVM08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVM08.md): Hiller UH 12E · Gonzales, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 7, 1986 · N149HA · Substantial damage
  > A loss of power was expereinced as the acft descended into a field at the beginning of an aerial application spray run. The plt initiated a forced landing into the field. During the landing the right skid dug into the field, tipping the helicopter onto its…
- [NTSB LAX86FVM06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVM06.md): Hiller UH21E · Salinas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 12, 1986 · N169HA · Substantial damage
  > The plt experienced a 'ratcheting' to the right and a decrease in rotor RPM during cruise flt at 75-100 ft AGL. The plt made an autorotation but could not cushion the landing due to the low alt and lack of rotor RPM. The helicopter impacted hard and…
- [NTSB LAX86DVA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86DVA13.md): Bell 47G-4A · Shafter, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 8, 1986 · N1185W · Substantial damage
  > Shortly after departing the loading rig, en route to an agricultural aerial application operation, the forward coupling tail rotor drive shaft failed. The helicopter was about 10 ft above ground level and about 100 ft west of the loading rig. The pilot…
- [NTSB LAX86DVA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86DVA09.md): Hiller UH-12E · Delano, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 17, 1986 · N172ET · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter rotor blade delaminated shortly after departing the operator's north base at Delano, CA. The investigation determined the blade contained extensive voids on the bond line. The blade was rejected by the manufacturer as being unairworthy. The…
- [NTSB LAX86FVM05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVM05.md): Hiller UH12E · Castroville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Apr 27, 1986 · N5374V · Destroyed
  > The acft landed hard and rolled over after the lndg skid failed in a forced lndg. The plt said he was crusing at 500 ft AGL over an open field when he heard a loud bang. The helicopter began to vibrate severely and spiral to the right. The plt lost ground…
- [NTSB LAX86LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA113.md): Hiller UH-12E · Lodi, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 7, 1986 · N62421 · Substantial damage
  > While on an aerial agricultural spraying flight the acft engine lost total power. The plt executed an immediate autorotation landing. Upon ground contact, the acft skid for about 8 ft until the front skid contacted the ground furrow and nosed over causing the…
- [NTSB LAX85FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA132.md): Hiller UH12E · Five Points, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 3, 1985 · N5323V · Substantial damage
  > While performing an ag flight the helicopter's engin suddenly lost power. At the time the aircraft was near its max allowable gross weight and it was between 3-5FT AGL. As the aircraft yawed left and descended. The pilot in command attempted to land on a…
- [NTSB LAX84LA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA294.md): Hiller UH-12E (Soloy) · Delano, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 10, 1984 · N90461 · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter experienced an inflt failure of an eng mount, pn 63181-5, which bent the collective control rod & forced the the collective pitch into the up position. The helicopter then settled into the grapes it was spraying & made a hard landing. An…
- [NTSB LAX84LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA194.md): Bell 47-G4A · Dixon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 24, 1984 · N9017N · Destroyed
  > The acft crashed during a forced landing after the engine quit. The plt stated that, 'three minutes into the crop dusting mission the engine quit and he suspected fuel mismanagement.'
- [NTSB LAX84LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA010.md): Hiller UH12E · Los Banos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 1983 · N4026G · Substantial damage
  > The plt loaded the helicopter & started a spraying operation. He stated that as he pulled the helicopter up from the 1st spray run, it started shaking & went partially out of control. He was able to regain enough control to get the helicopter in level flt…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?engine=41534&state=CA&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41534', '41582'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=41534&state=CA

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