# NTSB LAX81DVA51: Hiller Acft UH-12E, N174HA, Delano, CA, June 27, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 27, 1981
- Place: Delano, CA · DELANO, CA
- Location: 35.7664° N, 119.2642° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Delano, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7664&lon=-119.2642&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- ADs cited in the narratives: AD 80-18-13 (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81DVA51
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DVA51

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2322  81/6/27    DELANO,CA           HILLER ACFT UH-12E  CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 1646
        TIME - 1030                    N174HA              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 195 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DELANO,CA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  469                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAPES                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          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 -  380                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - ENTRY TO PROCEDURE TURN
        REMARKS- TORSION COUPLING,PN 21046-5,FAILED APRX 150HRS BFR AD 80-18-13 INSPN WAS DUE.LNDD ON BANK OF POND.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N174HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N174HA-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N HA3074, built 1978 (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: 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 19810627036679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810627036679A), Jun 27, 1981: Hiller UH12E, Delano, CA, Substantial damage. Torsion coupling failed between engine and transmission during ag operation. Helicopter rolled over on landing.

## Other investigations on N174HA (1)

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 SEA96LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA100), May 27, 1996: Hiller UH-12 (N174HA), Walla Walla, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight/planning, and his failure to refuel the helicopter with sufficient fuel before flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing. A factor…

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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