# NTSB LAX00LA077: Hiller UH-12E, N68024, Five Points, CA, January 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 26, 2000, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Five Points, CA - Coordinates: 36.199737, -120.090736 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1997&lon=-120.0907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48554 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48554/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate clearance while maneuvering beneath a telephone line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,static (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot took off from a loading truck for the second time with the intention of spraying a nearby field. En route, he flew over a road and maneuvered beneath a telephone line that was suspended between 25 and 30 feet above the ground. The helicopter's tail rotor contacted the line and he lost control. The helicopter spun around and impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On January 26, 2000, about 1330 hours Pacific standard time, a Hiller UH-12E, N68024, operated by Huron Ag Helicopters, Huron, California, collided with a wire while maneuvering during an aerial application flight approximately 5 miles south of Five Points, California. The flight was being performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Huron about 1300. According to the pilot, he took off from a loading truck for the second time with the intention of spraying a nearby field. He flew over a road and maneuvered beneath a telephone line. The helicopter's tail rotor contacted the line and he lost control. The helicopter spun around and impacted the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration coordinator estimated that the impacted wire had been suspended 25 to 30 feet above ground level. Both of the helicopter's tail rotor blades were severed, and other structural damaged resulted when the helicopter impacted the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68024](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68024-2018-02-16), registration cancelled 2018-02-16, S/N 1741, built 1965 (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: 1741 - Airframe hours: 3080 - Engines: Lycoming VO540C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Huron Ag Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 12, 1999, 47 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: NLC, 15 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 20000126000629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000126000629A), Jan 26, 2000: Hiller UH12E, Five Points, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) After takeoff from the platform of an ag truck, the pilot attempted to fly his helicopter under some telephone wires. The tail rotor struck and severed… ## Other investigations on N68024 (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 LAX83LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA181), Apr 7, 1983: Hiller UH12-E (N68024), Kettleman City, CA, substantial damage 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.