# NTSB LAX81FVG53: Hiller Acft UH-12E, N4027T, Willows, CA, July 23, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 23, 1981
- Place: Willows, CA · WILLOWS, CA
- Location: 39.5148° N, 122.1992° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Willows, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5148&lon=-122.1992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1930
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVG53
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVG53

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2376  81/7/23  NR.WILLOWS,CA         HILLER ACFT UH-12E  CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 39, 9200
        TIME - 0630                    N4027T              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 1200 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         WILLOWS,CA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - EXCESSIVE-WEAR/PLAY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FRAYED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 6000                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  150                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - ENTRY TO PROCEDURE TURN
        REMARKS- TAIL ROTOR CTL CABLE FAILED AT PULLEY W GREASE.GREASE NOT RCMDD,COLL PSBL DIRT/ABRASIVES.ALFALFA.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4027T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4027T-1995-01-03), registration cancelled 1995-01-03, S/N 5079 (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)
- 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 19810723044169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810723044169A), Jul 23, 1981: Hiller UH12E, Willows, CA, Substantial damage. Rudder control cable broke on spray run turn around. Lost control during autorotate landing.

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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