# NTSB LAX81DVA23: Hiller UH-12E, N90475, Exeter, CA, February 21, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 21, 1981
- Place: Exeter, CA · EXETER, CA
- Location: 36.2941° N, 119.1460° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Exeter, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2941&lon=-119.1460&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 11, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81DVA23
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DVA23

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0141  81/2/21  NR.EXETER,CA          HILLER UH-12E       CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 54, 15100
        TIME - 1047                    N90475              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 1000 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         EXETER,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
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 8000                       KIND OF OPERATION - FERTILIZING (LIQUID)
          KIND OF CROP - GRAPES                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 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 -  400                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- HIT TELEPHONE LINE UNDER PWR LINE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90475 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- 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 19810221004739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810221004739A), Feb 21, 1981: Hiller UH12E, Exeter, CA, Substantial damage. Main rotor shaft struck telephone line during spray run. Pilot failed to observe obstruction.

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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