# NTSB LAX80DUJ91: Hiller Acft UH-12E, N9278Z, Sommerton, AZ, July 31, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 31, 1980
- Place: Sommerton, AZ · SOMMERTON, AZ
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 29, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80DUJ91
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DUJ91

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2567  80/7/31    SOMMERTON,AZ        HILLER ACFT UH-12E  CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0230                    N9278Z              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 34, 4100 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            301 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SOMMERTON,AZ                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FRAYED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISCONNECTED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  800                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    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 -  50                  SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
        REMARKS- LEFT ANTITORQUE CABLE SEPD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9278Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9278Z-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 1819, built 1965 (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: turbo shaft
- 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 19800731037359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800731037359A), Jul 31, 1980: Hiller UH12E, Sommerton, AZ, Substantial damage. Directional control was lost during spray run. Helicopter crashed in same field. Rudder cable found separated.

## Other investigations on N9278Z (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 LAX84LA494](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA494), Sep 25, 1984: Hiller UH12ET (N9278Z), Yuma, AZ, destroyed
- [NTSB LAX76DUJ80](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76DUJ80), May 11, 1976: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N9278Z), Somerton, AZ, 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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