# NTSB LAX01LA245: Hiller UH-12E, N9281P, Blythe, CA, July 13, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 2001, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Blythe, CA - Coordinates: 33.750404, -114.510475 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7504&lon=-114.5105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52696/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=52696 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA245 ## Probable cause The selection by the pilot of an unsuitable precautionary landing site on soft, uneven terrain, which resulted in a rollover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined - Roll over, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - rough/uneven - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis During a chemical application pass, the pilot of the aerial application helicopter sensed a decrease in engine power and elected to make a precautionary landing. During the landing in a cotton field on irregular, wet ground, the right skid settled into the soil and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. In his subsequent report to the Safety Board, in the section entitled "Mechanical Malfunction Failure," the pilot checked "no." ## Factual narrative On July 13, 2001, at 0820 hours Pacific daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N9281P, landed in soft soil and rolled onto its right side at Blythe, California. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; however, the helicopter was substantially damaged. The aerial application flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 137 by H&H Aerial Applicators. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter departed from a local helipad near the work site at 0815. The pilot told the Safety Board investigator that, following an application pass, he sensed a decrease in engine power and elected to make a precautionary landing. During the landing in a cotton field on irregular, wet ground, the right skid settled into the soil and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. In his report to the Safety Board, in the section entitled "Mechanical Malfunction Failure" the pilot checked "no." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9281P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9281P-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 5219, built 1983 (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: 5219 - Airframe hours: 1403 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Akana Francis H DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 29, 2001, 58 hours before - Departed: Blythe, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 15, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 12,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: BLH ## 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 20010713016999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010713016999A), Jul 13, 2001: Hiller UH12E, Blythe, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 13, 2001, at 0820 hours pacific daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N9281P, landed in soft soil and rolled onto its right side at Blythe, California.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 18, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=52696. 384 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (item 1, .PDF, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2-Redacted.PDF 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.