# NTSB LAX79DVA42: Hiller UH-12E, N5335V, Porterville, CA, June 8, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: June 8, 1979
- Place: Porterville, CA · PORTERVILLE, CA
- Location: 36.0635° N, 119.0336° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Porterville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0635&lon=-119.0336&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 16, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79DVA42
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DVA42

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2013   79/6/8  NR.PORTERVILLE,CA     HILLER UH-12E       CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 31, 3202
        TIME - 0830                    N5335V              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 1330 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         PORTERVILLE,CA               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WINDSHIELD,DIRTY,FOGGY,ETC.-RESTRICTED VISION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SUNGLARE
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  900                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - FRUIT ORCHARDS                            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 - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -ROLLING
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  500                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
        REMARKS- CANOPY COVERED BY SPRAY MIST WHILE SPRAYING ORANGES.COLLIDE W PWR LINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5335V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5335V-2017-05-22), registration cancelled 2017-05-22, S/N 2009, built 1959 (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: 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 19790608012029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790608012029A), Jun 8, 1979: Hiller UH12E, Porterville, CA, Substantial damage. Struck wires during spray operation. Sun on dirty windshield a factor.

## Other investigations on N5335V (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 LAX95LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA109), Feb 15, 1995: Hiller UH-12E (N5335V), Arvin, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The seizure of the transmission due to lack of lubrication from a plugged oil supply line.
- [NTSB ANC75AA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC75AA084), May 17, 1975: Hiller Acft UH12-E (N5335V), Maunetuk River, AK, 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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