# NTSB LAX78FUG44: Hiller UH-12E, N75204, Blythe, CA, July 29, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 29, 1978
- Place: Blythe, CA · BLYTHE, CA
- Location: 33.6535° N, 114.6218° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Blythe, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6535&lon=-114.6218&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FUG44
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FUG44

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2439  78/7/29  NR.BLYTHE,CA          HILLER UH-12E       CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 41, 10032
        TIME - 0005                    N75204              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         BLYTHE,CA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: MASTER AND CONNECTING RODS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           TERRAIN - HIGH VEGETATION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 9999                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          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 - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  397                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- NO.5 CON ROD FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75204](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75204-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 1276, 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
- 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 19780729025309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780729025309A), Jul 29, 1978: Hiller UH12C, Blythe, CA, Substantial damage. No.5 con rod failed.

## Other investigations on N75204 (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 LAX77FUG53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUG53), Jul 11, 1977: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N75204), Blythe, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX75AUM24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75AUM24), Apr 30, 1975: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N75204), Seeley, 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.

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