# NTSB LAX81FVA28: Hiller Acft UH12E, N169HA, Huron, CA, March 11, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 11, 1981
- Place: Huron, CA · HURON, CA
- Location: 36.2044° N, 120.0951° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Huron, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2044&lon=-120.0951&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126868
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVA28
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVA28

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0386  81/3/11    HURON,CA            HILLER ACFT UH12E   CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 33, 3625
        TIME - 0610                    N169HA              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 420 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HURON,CA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 2300                       KIND OF OPERATION - DUSTING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - LETTUCE                                   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 - BELLY                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  200                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N169HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N169HA-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N HA3069, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER ACFT UH12E
- 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 19810311009059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810311009059A), Mar 11, 1981: Hiller UH12E, Huron, CA, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck ground on spray run. Panic, pilot fatigue & careless operation possible factors.

## Other investigations on N169HA (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 LAX89DVM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVM02), Apr 26, 1989: Hiller UH-12E (N169HA), Salinas, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE SEPARATION OF THE TORSION COUPLING IN THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM.
- [NTSB LAX86FVM06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVM06), Aug 12, 1986: Hiller UH21E (N169HA), Salinas, CA, 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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