# NTSB LAX80FVA03: Hiller UH-12E, N4414, Mendota, CA, October 17, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: October 17, 1979
- Place: Mendota, CA · MENDOTA, CA
- Location: 36.7576° N, 120.3805° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mendota, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7576&lon=-120.3805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FVA03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVA03-201195

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2635  79/10/17   MENDOTA,CA          HILLER UH-12E       CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 7575
        TIME - 1700                    N4414               PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 700 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MENDOTA,CA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FRAYED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 2500                       KIND OF OPERATION - DEFOLIATION (LIQUID)
          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-NOT USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  160                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
        REMARKS- T/R PITCH CTL CABLE FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4414](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4414-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 2205, built 1962 (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 19791017029019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791017029019A), Oct 17, 1979: Hiller UH12E, Mendota, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control immediately after takeoff. Left rudder cable found broken during investigation.

## Other investigations on N4414 (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 LAX91LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA191), May 4, 1991: Hiller UH-12E (N4414), Delano, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THAT THE PILOT IMPROPERLY PERFORMED THE AUTOROTATION BY MISJUDGING THE FLARE ALTITUDE. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE FREEWHEELING SPRAG CLUTCH DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AND…
- [NTSB SEA69D0043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA69D0043), Jul 27, 1968: Hiller UH-12E (N4414), Rockford, ID, 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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