# NTSB LAX74FUM09: Hiller Acft UH-12E, N5374V, El Centro, CA, October 19, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 19, 1973
- Place: El Centro, CA · EL CENTRO, CA
- Location: 32.7864° N, 115.5602° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Centro, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7864&lon=-115.5602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX74FUM09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74FUM09

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3143  73/10/19   EL CENTRO,CALIF     HILLER ACFT UH-12E  CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 44, 15390
        TIME - 0640                    N5374V              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 375 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EL CENTRO,CALIF             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 7000                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - BELLY                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  *ERROR-INVALID CODE*SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- T/R STRUCK GRND.SUBSTL DMG.DRG INVEST PLT INADVERTENTLY LIT MATCH.ACFT CONSUMED BY FIRE.SPRY BEETS
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5374V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5374V), registered now, S/N 2073, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER ACFT 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19731019033089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731019033089A), Oct 19, 1973: Hiller UH12C, El Centro, CA, Destroyed. T/r struck grnd. Substl dmg. Drg invest plt inadvertently lit match. Acft consumed by fire. Spry beets

## 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 LAX00LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA027), Oct 28, 1999: Hiller UH-12E (N5374V), Castroville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and diverted attention.
- [NTSB LAX86FVM05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVM05), Apr 27, 1986: Hiller UH12E (N5374V), Castroville, 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.

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