# NTSB LAX82FA245: Hiller UH-12L3, N86689, Stockton, CA, July 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1982, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Stockton, CA
- Location: 37.9577° N, 121.2908° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stockton, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9577&lon=-121.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA245

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - smoke (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 5 FT AGL AS HE WAS TAKING OFF FROM A TRAILER. HE TURNED TO AVOID A GAS AND WATER TANK NEAR THE POLL TRUCK. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST, RIGHT-SIDE-UP, BUT WAS DAMAGED. A FUEL LEAK WAS FOUND IN A LINE THAT ATTACHED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR REGULATOR. THE LEAK OCCURRED WHERE THE LINE WAS FLARED FOR A B-NUT CONNECTION. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT CRACKS OCCURRED FROM STRESS CORROSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86689](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86689-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 2548, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12L3
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12L4](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12l4) (registry code 4360128) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2548
- Airframe hours: 7753
- Engines: LYCOMING TIVO-540-A2A 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: San Francisco & Fresno Land Co
- Departed: STOCKTON, CA
- Destination: STOCKTON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 153 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 345° at 4 knots

## 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 19820701030559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820701030559A), Jul 1, 1982: Hiller UH12L4, Stockton, CA, Substantial damage. Cracked fuel line caused engine power loss during liftoff from a trailer platform. Cracks due to stress corrosion.

## Other investigations on N86689 (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 LAX69D0359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69D0359), May 5, 1969: Hiller UH-12L (N86689), Victorville, 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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