# NTSB LAX00LA027: Hiller UH-12E, N5374V, Castroville, CA, October 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 1999, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Castroville, CA - Coordinates: 36.760387, -121.750747 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7604&lon=-121.7507&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47674 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47674/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and diverted attention. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - object - wire,transmission - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot had been spraying a field and altered his course to move away from telephone repair personnel who were working on a pole located near the field he intended to spray. While flying between 25 and 30 feet above the ground, the pilot diverted his attention toward the global positioning satellite receiver in which he intended to mark his new spray position. While proceeding over the field he looked up and observed a power line directly in front of his helicopter. With insufficient time to turn, the helicopter collided with the power line. Thereafter, the pilot lost control and the helicopter impacted the underlying field. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 1999, about 0915 hours Pacific daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N5374V, operated by R and B Helicopter, Inc., collided with a power line in Castroville, California. Thereafter, the helicopter impacted the ground and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the aerial application flight, which was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The flight originated about 0905 from an adjacent field. The pilot reported to the Safety Board investigator that he had been spraying in the general area, and had just altered his course to move away from telephone repair personnel who were working on a pole located near the field he intended to spray. Also, while flying between 25 and 30 feet above the ground, he had diverted his attention toward the global positioning satellite receiver in which he was to mark his new spray position. While proceeding over the field he looked up and observed a power line directly in front of his helicopter. There was insufficient time to turn. The pilot stated that he collided with the power line and lost control of the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5374V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5374V), registered now, S/N 2073, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hiller UH-12E - Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2073 - Airframe hours: 14374 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: R And B Helicopter, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 28, 1999, 61 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 18,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 4 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SNS, 8 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19991028033669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991028033669A), Oct 28, 1999: Hiller UH12E, Castroville, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 28, 1999, about 0915 hours pacific daylight time, a Hiller UH12E, N5374V, operated by r and b helicopter, inc., collided with a power line in… ## Other investigations on N5374V (2) 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 LAX86FVM05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVM05), Apr 27, 1986: Hiller UH12E (N5374V), Castroville, CA, destroyed - [NTSB LAX74FUM09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74FUM09), Oct 19, 1973: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N5374V), El Centro, CA, destroyed 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.