# NTSB LAX77DVA16: Hiller Acft UH-12C, N6417V, Terra Bella, CA, January 15, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 15, 1977
- Place: Terra Bella, CA · TERRA BELLA, CA
- Location: 35.9600° N, 119.0385° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Terra Bella, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9600&lon=-119.0385&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 4, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 156711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77DVA16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77DVA16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0039  77/1/15    TERRA BELLA,CA      HILLER ACFT UH-12C  CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 2102
        TIME - 0715                    N6417V              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 131 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TERRA BELLA,CA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: RETURN TO STRIP
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: TANKS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL CONTAMINATION-EXCLUSIVE OF WATER IN FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - ANTI-FROST OPERATIONS
          KIND OF CROP - FRUIT ORCHARDS                            PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
          TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
        REMARKS- FROST CONTROL.RUSTY WATER,DEBRIS,TANK SEALER FOUND IN FUEL.SERVICE BULLETIN A-78 NCW.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6417V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6417V), registered now, S/N 417, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER ACFT UH-12C
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12b) (registry code 4360110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6VS-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6vs-335-series) (registry code 27040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19770115000349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770115000349A), Jan 15, 1977: Hiller UH12B, Terra Bella, CA, Substantial damage. Frost control. Rusty water,debris,tank sealer found in fuel. Service bulletin A-78 ncw.

## Other investigations on N6417V (3)

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 FTW94LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA147), May 8, 1994: Hiller UH-12B (N6417V), Crystal Beach, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER AUTOROTATION TOUCHDOWN, WHICH RSULTED IN THE HARD LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE POWER LOSS DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL.
- [NTSB DEN82FTM04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTM04), Nov 16, 1981: Hiller UH12C (N6417V), Logan, UT, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK65A0068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK65A0068), May 26, 1965: Hiller UH12B (N6417V), Porterville, 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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